Community Corner

Swampcott Veteran Runs For Fellow Vets

Patrick Burke of Swampscott joined fellow GE employees in the Run-Walk to Home Base at Fenway on May 20, to support injured veterans.

 

Swampscott resident and veteran Patrick Burke was among the runners and walkers who raised money for injured veterans at the May 20, Run-Walk to Home Base event presented by New Balance.  

Patrick joined fellow workers from GE to support veterans who have returned from Afghanistan and Iraq with post traumatic stress and brain injuries.

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Swampscott police officer Candace Doyle and firefighter Richard Blake were also among the throng of runners and walkers putting their best foot forward for vets.

The event raised $2 million for the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program. 

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The money will "provide clinical care for the vets, support for their families and research to prevent these kinds of injuries and improve treatments. Combat stress and brain injuries effect as many as 30 percent of the returning veterans," according to organizers.

Patrick is a senior master sergeant in the US Air Force Reserves and has prior service in the US Marine Corps.  

He has been on two deployments to the Middle East since 9/11 and is planning for a third deployment.  

"I (would) like to remind everyone to attend Swampscott’s Memorial Day services this weekend and support our veterans year round," he said.


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