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Brad Snyder
- Wounded Warrior
Friends
In early September, a Navy Lieutenant by the name of Brad Snyder was
assigned as a Explosive Ordnance Disposal officer on patrol with Navy SEALs
in Afghanistan.
Just a few years ago, in 2005 and 6, Brad was the captain of the Naval
Academy Men's Swim Team. Our son-in-law, Andy Bockus, followed Brad as team
captain for the 2006-7 season. On that patrol on September 7th, however,
Brad's life was changed for ever. He heard a click and saw a brief
flash. Brad was blinded by an IED. Two Afghan soldiers with him were killed.
On October 30th, our daughter Caroline, her husband Andy, both Navy
Lieutenants, and I will run the Marine Corps Marathon for Brad and the
Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation. This is my 7th marathon in as many years,
and my fourth Marine Corps Marathon, but this race will be different. We are
asking for your help. We are running for a purpose this year.
EOD is a small community in all services and the Wounded EOD Warrior
Foundation supports all of those who return with injuries from their very
risky assignment. These days, that assignment is focused on rendering safe
the IED's have become the weapon of choice of the insurgents in both
Afghanistan and Iraq.
I realize many on this mailing list support Yellow Ribbon Foundation, the
Injured Marine/Semper Fi Fund or other similar charity. Please continue to
do so. But this month, I ask for your help, to honor and support LT Brad
Snyder, USNA Class of 2006, and the other EOD Techs who have come home from
Afghanistan or Iraq with serious wounds.
Andy visited Brad shortly after he was transported back to the US and to
Bethesda. He said that Brad was in great spirits and talking about what he
will do next in his life. But Brad will need a lot of help as he is now
blind for life.
I ask that you visit the website on the link below, click on donations. You
will then be directed to a screen where you can click on our names and
contribute to the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation in Brad's honor. I also ask
that you pass this request along to your friends, classmates, and associates
who would also be interested in showing their support for Brad and the WEODW
Foundation.
http://www.woundedeodwarrior.org/index.htm
Thank you.
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