October 29, 2008

Bristol soldier wounded in Iraq

A Bristol soldier, Matt Lavoie, was wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq on Sept. 30, according to state Rep. Frank Nicastro, a Democrat in the 79th District.
He said that Lavoie, a U.S. Army specialist 4th class, received severe injuries to his arm in the attack.
Lavoie is currently recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, according to an email from Carrie Tonon, who is organizing a fundraiser for him.
Lavoie has had 10 surgeries so far in a bid to save his arm, she wrote.
Nicastro, a former mayor who put in 30 years in the military, said that Lavoie is "a young man who placed his life on the line for his country" and deserves the help of the entire community as he tries to recover.
The $15-a-person fundraiser is slated from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13 at Nuchies.
Nicastro said that it is "well worth the money" for everyone to attend the pasta supper and to lend a hand to a brave young soldier.
"This family could use all of our community support," Mayor Art Ward said.
Tickets will be available at the door or by emailing Tonon at tonon@snet.net or ctonon@gemssensors.com.
If anyone has more information or can help me get in touch with Lavoie or his family, I would sure love to hear from you. You can email me at scollins@bristolpress.com.

Update: I spoke with Lavoie and his mom from his room at Walter Reed. I'll tell you his story later today. His mom called him a hero -- and I don't think she's exaggerating.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

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