News
Fundraiser To Build House For Wounded Soldier
By Ryan Fennell
KEYPORT - "I never realized there were so many people that want to help these guys," said John Clancy, owner of Keyport Fishery, referring to all of the American soldiers returning home from the war with devastating injuries.
Several years ago, Clancy had been in touch with Homes for our Troops, a Massachusetts based organization that raises funds to build homes for returning soldiers.
A home was to be built in Union Beach for Army Sergeant Michael Minard and Clancy decided to help organize the construction of the home.
He placed a jar in his fishery for people to donate toward constructing the home and once word got out about the effort, Clancy received over $20,000 in donations.
Now, Clancy is working to building a home for Staten Island native and U.S. Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco.
Marrocco is currently at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. where he is undergoing rehabilitation for his devastating injuries.
Marrocco is the first soldier from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to lose all four of his limbs and survive.
Marrocco was returning to base after a night mission when the vehicle he was driving sustained a direct hit from an Explosive Fired Projectile (EFP) that killed Specialist Michael J. Anaya and wounded two others, including Marrocco.
As a result of the blast, Marrocco lost his arms and legs and his left carotid artery was severed among several other serious injuries.
Marrocco was treated in a field hospital where emergency surgery was performed before being transported to Germany and then finally to Walter Reed Army Hospital.
Marrocco's older brother, Michael, left his job in New York shortly after Brendan's life altering injuries to be at his side at Walter Reed and now lives in an adjacent room to help Marrocco through his rehabilitation.
According to Clancy, Marrocco and Minard knew one another for a short time while Minard was still living at Walter Reed.
When Clancy and the various volunteers held a ceremony for the opening of Minard's house, Marrocco was home for the first time in December 2009 and was able to attend.
Over 300 people attended the event.
When Clancy met Marrocco he told him that he would change the jar at his fishery to start raising money to do what he could to help.
"I came up with the idea to have a dinner for him at the Shore Casino" in Atlantic Highlands Clancy said. "We're hoping to sell 600 tickets to raise some money to build a house for this kid. He's a great kid."
"We have a great committee to set this whole thing up," Clancy continued. "A lot of people have come forward and just want to help."
According to Clancy the dinner is scheduled to include a silent auction, live entertainment and have some aspects resemble a military-style ball.
Clancy is also hoping to secure some high-profile guests to make an appearance.
The event is scheduled for Sunday November 14 at the Shore Casino at the Atlantic Highlands Harbor in Atlantic Highlands from 3 to 8 p.m.
"We're putting forth a great effort here and the whole idea is to raise money," said Clancy. "What we're doing is raising funds in order to build him a handicap accessible house."
According to Clancy donations can be made out to the Brendan Marrocco Trust Fund and sent or brought to the Keyport Fishery at 150 West Front Street in Keyport.
Additional information can be found at www.brendanmarrocco.org.
