Rotarians bring lunch, laughs to Wounded Warriors
The Wounded Warriors Barracks brings together injured heroes to help each other heal, but the barracks has also become the gathering place of a community’s heart.
Since the barracks’ dedication in November 2005, celebrities, civic leaders, business owners and families have stopped by with gifts and blessings, grateful to have a place in which they can express their love and admiration of our troops.
Rotarians bring lunch, laughs to Wounded Warriors
August 21,2006
ANNE CLARK
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The scene was no different Aug. 16, when members of the New Bern Rotary Club brought lunch — courtesy of local restaurant Hilda’s — and spent some time with the young service members.
“My wife and I pray for them every day,” said Doug Brewbaker, president of the New Bern Rotary. “We pray for them, but we didn’t ever go thank them in person.”
With fried chicken, sweet potatoes, and green beans sizzling nearby, about a dozen Rotary members mingled with the young troops. They talked about hometowns and sweethearts, explained where they’d been injured and what they’d been doing in the Middle East.
“It’s good to know the community cares,” said Lance Cpl. Briscoe Brown, 26. “It’s good to have people come around and visit with us,” said the third-generation Marine from Louisiana.
Brown said his unit, 3rd Battalion 6th Marine Regiment, Lima Company, came across a terrorist- booby-trapped school in Iraq. After clearing the school of the explosives, the Marines patrolled it, protecting the kids inside. They delivered school supplies and soccer balls.
Brown would help to open at least five schools and three medical centers inside the Sunni triangle before he was seriously injured by an IED while on foot patrol.
The blast, which also injured five other Marines, sprayed shrapnel into his shoulder and left him with brain damage, Brown said. He smiles easily, though, and makes mild jokes.
“I’m impressed with their positive attitude,” said Joe Bach, a retired Army colonel, combat veteran, and New Bern Rotary member.
For Rotary member Tammy Childers, the visit to the Wounded Warriors Barracks was just as personal. Her 20-year-old son, Kenny, is an airman apprentice with the U.S. Navy. He left in July to serve aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, stationed in Japan.
“We want the community to rally around our troops,” said Childers, who hears from her son several times a week. “It’s our privilege to support them.”
After lunch — eaten around Foosball and air hockey game tables — Gunnery Sgt. Ken Barnes gave the Rotarians a tour around the Barracks, including a progression of photographs in the main hall and a peek at an empty bedroom suite. When asked how individuals could help, Barnes swept his arm toward the lunch area.
“Things like this right here,” said Barnes.
Rotary International’s broad mission is to bring humanitarian and educational programs to communities around the world. This year, the New Bern Rotary has adopted a town in Mexico and will build a library and medical facility there, much like American troops are doing all over Iraq and Afghanistan.
“The Rotary is about international peace,” said Brewbaker, “about exchanges between foreign countries.”