Bunny In The Foxhole
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Slain Soldier's Mother Robbed
Daily Breeze|by Denise Nix
After her son died fighting for his country, Linda Ferrara wanted to do something for soldiers like him who sacrifice their safety for others.
So in the year since U.S. Army Capt. Matthew Ferrara was killed in Afghanistan, his mother has dedicated hours collecting clothes and crafting handmade blankets for wounded soldiers overseas.
The Torrance resident had planned to ship the goods today to a U.S. Army hospital in Germany. Instead, she's despondent over the weekend theft of hundreds of socks, sweat shirts, pajama pants, boxers, blankets and other items.
"I don't want to let them down," Ferrara said. "This wasn't just stuff, this was going to wounded soldiers."
The items were being stored in the Ferrara family's RV, which was parked outside their Bay Cities Italian Bakery on a dead-end street among industrial buildings near California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Ferrara and her family suspects someone was watching as they stockpiled the goods, and expect the thieves will try to sell the items. She estimates that at least $6,000 worth of clothes were stolen, along with the priceless patriotic fleece blankets she and other volunteers spent hours sewing.
At one point, they auctioned three of the blankets for $410, which they were able to use to buy fabric for 30 more blankets, she said.
Matthew Ferrara, 24, graduated from West Point Military Academy before he was shipped to Afghanistan. He was killed, along with five others, on Nov. 10, 2007, when insurgents ambushed their NATO-led patrol.
Two of his brothers also graduated from the prestigious academy, while another brother is in the ROTC program at USC. The Ferrara family's deep roots in the military were only strengthened after Matthew's death, his mother said.
People from around the world have contacted them to share stories about her son's life, and the circumstances of his death.
"It brings you closer to the whole rest of the world," Ferrara said.
That was how she came to meet MaryAnn Phillips of Soldiers' Angels Germany. Soldiers' Angels is an organization through which people can send care packages to soldiers overseas. In Germany, Phillips supports wounded and sick troops undergoing treatment at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
Many of them are transferred there directly from the front lines, and have nothing more than the clothes on their backs, Ferrara said.
Already involved with the West Point Parents Club of Orange County, Ferrara recruited support from other parents and volunteers to collect items for the wounded soldiers.
Her RV was packed with boxes, and the Parents Club had printed thank-you letters to the "wounded warriors" to be distributed with the clothes. On Sunday morning, Ferrara first realized something was amiss when she found empty boxes outside the RV and her inventory lists on the ground.
Inside, she discovered almost all the collected items missing. Also, some of the letters were torn to shreds. Compton sheriff's deputies took a report and fingerprints, she said.
Meanwhile, her insurance company has told her not to expect help. Because she planned to give the items away, they technically didn't belong to her.
Anyone with information about the theft should call the Compton sheriff's station at 310-605-6500.
Anyone who would like to donate items for the wounded soldiers should e-mail Ferrara at lindaferrara@aol.com
How sick and sad! What the hell is wrong with people?!? I dont care if the economy is chit,and yes,I know it IS,thats still no reason to go stealing! I have my own opinion on likely suspects,but I prefer to keep that to myself,since I'd rather not be accused of stereotyping etc.I hope when these jackasses try to pawn these things that someone recognizes the items and calls cops.Ugh.Karma will come back on these losers sooner or later.
I'd also like to know who the insurance company was...that way I NEVER use their "services"! The items were still in HER possession,so,imo that make them HERS.Any little loophole they can find to get out of paying a claim they have NO shame in using,how sad and greedy.
Daily Breeze|by Denise Nix
After her son died fighting for his country, Linda Ferrara wanted to do something for soldiers like him who sacrifice their safety for others.
So in the year since U.S. Army Capt. Matthew Ferrara was killed in Afghanistan, his mother has dedicated hours collecting clothes and crafting handmade blankets for wounded soldiers overseas.
The Torrance resident had planned to ship the goods today to a U.S. Army hospital in Germany. Instead, she's despondent over the weekend theft of hundreds of socks, sweat shirts, pajama pants, boxers, blankets and other items.
"I don't want to let them down," Ferrara said. "This wasn't just stuff, this was going to wounded soldiers."
The items were being stored in the Ferrara family's RV, which was parked outside their Bay Cities Italian Bakery on a dead-end street among industrial buildings near California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Ferrara and her family suspects someone was watching as they stockpiled the goods, and expect the thieves will try to sell the items. She estimates that at least $6,000 worth of clothes were stolen, along with the priceless patriotic fleece blankets she and other volunteers spent hours sewing.
At one point, they auctioned three of the blankets for $410, which they were able to use to buy fabric for 30 more blankets, she said.
Matthew Ferrara, 24, graduated from West Point Military Academy before he was shipped to Afghanistan. He was killed, along with five others, on Nov. 10, 2007, when insurgents ambushed their NATO-led patrol.
Two of his brothers also graduated from the prestigious academy, while another brother is in the ROTC program at USC. The Ferrara family's deep roots in the military were only strengthened after Matthew's death, his mother said.
People from around the world have contacted them to share stories about her son's life, and the circumstances of his death.
"It brings you closer to the whole rest of the world," Ferrara said.
That was how she came to meet MaryAnn Phillips of Soldiers' Angels Germany. Soldiers' Angels is an organization through which people can send care packages to soldiers overseas. In Germany, Phillips supports wounded and sick troops undergoing treatment at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
Many of them are transferred there directly from the front lines, and have nothing more than the clothes on their backs, Ferrara said.
Already involved with the West Point Parents Club of Orange County, Ferrara recruited support from other parents and volunteers to collect items for the wounded soldiers.
Her RV was packed with boxes, and the Parents Club had printed thank-you letters to the "wounded warriors" to be distributed with the clothes. On Sunday morning, Ferrara first realized something was amiss when she found empty boxes outside the RV and her inventory lists on the ground.
Inside, she discovered almost all the collected items missing. Also, some of the letters were torn to shreds. Compton sheriff's deputies took a report and fingerprints, she said.
Meanwhile, her insurance company has told her not to expect help. Because she planned to give the items away, they technically didn't belong to her.
Anyone with information about the theft should call the Compton sheriff's station at 310-605-6500.
Anyone who would like to donate items for the wounded soldiers should e-mail Ferrara at lindaferrara@aol.com
How sick and sad! What the hell is wrong with people?!? I dont care if the economy is chit,and yes,I know it IS,thats still no reason to go stealing! I have my own opinion on likely suspects,but I prefer to keep that to myself,since I'd rather not be accused of stereotyping etc.I hope when these jackasses try to pawn these things that someone recognizes the items and calls cops.Ugh.Karma will come back on these losers sooner or later.
I'd also like to know who the insurance company was...that way I NEVER use their "services"! The items were still in HER possession,so,imo that make them HERS.Any little loophole they can find to get out of paying a claim they have NO shame in using,how sad and greedy.
posted by LadyWolf at 11:08 AM
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