Jan 20,Wantagh,NY: Benefit for Wounded Warrior Project/honoring NYPD cop KIA in Iraq

[Johnnylaw]

NOTE: I did not author the following, and I am not Vinny Zecca. I simply cut & pasted this from where I found it on Craig's list. I'll be there, just wanted anyone in the area to know about this event- it's for a great cause and is in honor of a great man hope some of you guys can make it, we'll have a smoke outside.

My name is Vinny Zecca. I am writing to you on behalf of the friends and family of James D. McNaughton, the New York City Police Officer who was killed in Iraq. On August 2nd, 2005, while training an Iraqi officer up in a tower, James or “Jimmy” as his friends knew him, was killed by a sniper. Jimmy was a staff sergeant with the Army Reserve's 306th Military Police Battalion, based in Uniondale, Long Island. Coming from a family of police officers, he joined the NYPD five years ago as member of the first Police Academy class to graduate after 9/11. James McNaughton, 27, was the first New York City cop killed in the line of duty in Iraq.

I have known Jimmy since we were 8 years old. He is one of my best friends and the most loyal person I have ever met. If you remember this story, I am sure you read all the newspapers saying how much he was dedicated to the country and how he had this in his blood. Well I am not one for the press and their stories because you never know what is truthful. However, this time they could not have been more precise. Jimmy lived for this country for as long as I can remember and he died defending the freedoms that we enjoy everyday.

All of the news reports that have been printed said how great of a hero Jimmy was, but what sometimes goes unwritten was how great of a person and a friend too many of us he was as well. I could write a novel about Jimmy and how great of a friend he was and how he is a hero and an inspiration.

Last year, in his memory we held an extremely successful benefit/fundraiser event. At this event, there was an assortment of entertainment such as music by a few local cover bands, The New York Shields Pipes and Drums, and the USO. There was also some comedy provided by Dave Attell. With the huge success of last year’s benefit, we have decided to make this an annual event. Once again, this year, the event will take place at Mulcahy’s Pub and Music Hall in Wantagh, New York, on Saturday January 20th, 2007 from 1:00pm-7:00pm. This year we would like to make it bigger and better.

I would like to extend this invitation to you and your family, friends, employees, etc. With an extremely large group of friends and family, there will also be a tremendous amount of police officers, military, troopers, etc. that will be on hand to honor Jimmy. Once again, there will be a large assortment of entertainment- live music, djs, etc. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact me at vzecca1@yahoo.com or at (631) 745-2926. At that time I will have more information about this benefit. All proceeds from this benefit will be donated to:

Wounded Warrior Project
7020 AC Skinner Pkwy, Suite 100
Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 296-7350

As far as entertainment goes, so far we have booked a few local cover bands, the USO and The New York Shields, Pipes & Drums Band will be returning, and comedian Nick DiPaolo will be coming down to perform some stand-up. Besides being for a great cause, it will be a great time.

Your time just to read this letter is greatly appreciated. Below are a few links with some further background on James McNaughton.


Sincerely,

Vinny Zecca
(631) 745-2926
vzecca1@yahoo.com

http://www.jimmymcnaughton.com/

https://www.nycpba.org/heroes/mcnaughton.html

http://www.fallenheroesmemorial.com/...tonjamesd.html

[icehog3]

If I lived in NY I would be honored to attend, sounds like he was a fine young man.

[Johnnylaw]

Originally Posted by icehog3

If I lived in NY I would be honored to attend, sounds like he was a fine young man.

He sure was.

Just wanted to give this a bump so nobody in the area missed it.

[Johnnylaw]

Bump.

For those of you outside the area, check out the Wounded Warrior Project Homepage:

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org....CB9C/Home.htm