Chili, N.Y. - As Ryan Hackett, an injured army veteran, walked into the Operation Wounded Warrior donation site at the Chili Fire Department Saturday afternoon, one could easily assume he was to be honored.
“I was at Walter Reed a few years ago,” said Hackett.
But in fact, he was there to honor others.
“Having him come in like that and wanting to give back to his brothers is really the kind of spirit we experience,’ said Amy Tausch, one of the organizers of annual event.
That same spirit was also found during a Veterans Day ceremony in Greece.
“Just to be a part of these people that have given so much, sacrificed so much,” said Korean War veteran William Selke as he found his name on the The Gary Beikirch Veterans' Memorial in Greece. He’s one of more than 5,100 men and women of Greece who have served our country. “It's such an important day.”
It also tugs on the heartstrings of children of veterans. Tom Palumbo's father fought in the Korean War.
“He was a true veteran,” said Palumbo, “I'm so proud of him. I'm proud of all our veterans.”
Veterans like Hackett, who took the time to honor his brothers.
“It’s nice to be able to help to get stuff down there to those guys,” said Hackett. “They definitely need our support.”
Operation Wounded Warrior will continue to collect donations through Wednesday at the Chili Fire Department, the Pittsford Baptist Church and the West Brighton Fire Department.
