Many people have heard the phrase that United States Marines are a “Band of Brothers.” Most Marines, past and present, will be able to tell you a story supporting this. Marines looking out for other Marines is a common practice in our country as Marines everywhere have a bond with anyone else who dons the infamous Eagle, Globe and Anchor. The bond goes beyond that of one you would find between fellow classmates or fraternity members. Marines have lived and died for each other since 1775 and will continue to help and support each other forever. While it is commonplace to find examples of Marines helping fellow Marines, it is rare to find a case where that extends to family members of Marines… But when it happens, it is very special.
Vinny Sulewski, a member of the Westfield River Valley Detachment 141 of the Marine Corps League, was going through the drive-thru at a McDonald’s in Ludlow. Per usual he was proudly wearing attire with his affiliation to the Marine Corps. He has Marine Corps stickers on his vehicle and usually wears a cover and jacket that tells the world he is a proud Marine. The manager of the franchise, Jonathan Briggs, saw Vinny and asked to speak with him. Jonathan proceeded to tell Vinny that his father, who had recently passed away, had been a disabled Marine confined to a wheelchair due to a combat related injury. Jonathan told Vinny that his father would have wanted nothing more than to donate his wheelchair to a disabled Marine who became wounded in combat. Vinny said he would be glad to help and told Jonathan that due to his affiliation with the Marine Corps League he would be able to help ensure the wheelchair would be passed down to a deserving Marine.
Through the Marine Corps League and the Marines helping Marines program the perfect candidate to receive this generous gift was found. Josh Bouchard from Granby, Mass. was recently wounded in Afghanistan and is paralyzed from the waist down. Josh received the wheelchair earlier this year. The amazing part of this story is that the wheelchair that was donated is a state of the art wheelchair, an Extreme X8 Magic Mobility unit. The fact that Jonathan Briggs decided to donate the wheelchair on behalf of his father is what makes this a truly amazing story. Many people would have sold the wheelchair and taken the cash, not Mr. Briggs. He respected his father’s wishes and although never serving a day in the Marine Corps himself became a part of the great Band of Brothers that is the Marine Corps. Jonathan Briggs, on behalf of the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps League, I would like to say thank you. If you ever need anything feel free to ask me or one of my fellow Marine Corps League detachment 141 members. Semper Fidelis.
By Daniel R. Johnson
Westfield River Valley Detachment 141 of the Marine Corps League
