|
John Lynch and Joe Orlando sat down for breakfast with their wives the morning of August 2, 2008, in Wildwood, N.J. As they explored the menu, they waited for their guests of honor to arrive.
Soon, sirens filled the air as a police escort pulled up outside. The VIPs had arrived—two little girls burst through the front door.
Second graders Sydney Dyer and Madison Rodgers from North Carolina shared a common bond—each lost their father in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
When their teacher, Debra Otis, learned of this, she planned a trip across the East Coast to show these girls the tremendous sacrifices their fathers each made for this country. New Jersey VFW members learned of the effort and immediately stepped forward with support.
“Madison and Sydney are two of the nicest girls you can imagine. It hurts to hear of their loss, but I felt good knowing we were providing them with memories that will last a lifetime, showing them why soldiers must go to war,” said Orlando, VFW Post 5941 commander.
On a previous trip, they visited Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C., to see the graves of their fathers. This time they would see the America their fathers fought to preserve. They began with an Independence tour of Philadelphia and then on to the World Trade Center site and Statue of Liberty. Their trip ended in Wildwood for some much needed rest and relaxation.
In order to fund such an ambitious trip, Otis appealed to Lynch, the director of sales and entertainment at Wildwood Convention Center. He worked with Orlando to assure the girls of an unforgettable trip, covering many of the travel expenses in Wildwood and New York. Even more, gift packages awaited the girls when they arrived in Wildwood.
“Everyone was just overwhelmed with the generosity and concern of the community and VFW,” said Lynch.
After their farewell breakfast, Lynch took the group back to his office, where he presented one last gift.
“I had two framed photos on my wall—one of the Statue of Liberty with the Twin Towers in the background, another with two beams of light shining into the night sky where the Towers once were. I noticed Casey (one of the mothers) was very engrossed looking at them, so I gave them to her.
“Their trip was based on the World Trade Center. Knowing I could give her something as a thank you for her husband’s supreme sacrifice, it was an easy decision,” continued Lynch. “It was my own way of saying ‘thank you’ to all those who have worn the uniform, defending our country.”
“[For the girls] it was the experience of a lifetime,” concluded Orlando. | 
