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The Story behind the Photos:
(60 photos)
 From
September 6 through September 9, 2007, FF Jimmy Sands, FDNY Engine 10,
and FF Vinny Fennimore, FDNY Ladder 10, and several other FDNY
Firefighters traveled to Groesbeck, Texas and joined other local and
national volunteers to rebuild the home of James and Eva Vincent.
The
Vincents are an extraordinary American family. Three generations of
the Vincent family have run assisted-living centers for disabled
veterans out of their homes. They created a unique and loving
environment where these men who served our nation could eat at the
family's dining room table, play with the children in the extended
Vincent family, and enjoy the 100+ animals in a beautiful country
setting. In addition to serving the disabled veterans, the Vincents
also serve their community as they comprise nearly one-quarter of
the 40-member volunteer fire department of Groesbeck, a town of just
4,000 people half way between Dallas and Austin and just east of
Waco.
On
December 29, 2006 an F3 tornado ripped through the Vincent family
compound, damaging one of the veterans' homes and destroying the
home where James and Eva lived with their 14-month son Hunter and 5
of the veterans. With just 30 seconds warning before the tornado
struck, Eva woke Hunter from his crib and gathered the 5 veterans in
her home and huddled them in a small inner hallway of the house.
Sadly, one of the men died in the tornado but Eva's quick actions
literally saved the lives of her young son and the other men in her
care.
More
at
The New York Says Thank You Foundation. |
