Community Corner
[VIDEO] Tenth Anniversary of 9/11 Sees Cheshire Helping Wounded Soldier
As the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attack approaches, Cheshire is reminded of the ongoing war after a local soldier is severely injured in Afghanistan.
While the nation recognizes the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with candlelight vigils and memorials, hundreds of Cheshire residents will attend a fundraising event for Army Pfc. Joshua Budd who lost his leg in July while fighting in Kandahar province in Afghanistan.
After serving just three months in Afghanistan, Budd, 19, was awarded the Purple Heart and has been nominated for the Medal of Valor.
An improvised explosive device (IED) caused one leg to be amputated and left Budd with internal injuries and damage to his other leg. A timeline for his release has not been announced.
Budd is being treated at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Maryland where his mother, Barbara Budd, has remained since he was admitted.
While medical costs are covered by the Army, the 9/11 event will raise money for the seven-member family's travel expenses to Maryland.
A separate and ongoing fund-raising effort by "Budd's Buddies" is collecting money to furnish Budd with a handicap-adapted truck to use when he returns to Cheshire.
Budd joined the Army soon after graduating from Cheshire High School in 2010. His basic training was held at Fort Benning, Georgia. Budd was a junior firefighter in Cheshire and his father, David Budd, is an active Lifetime Member of the volunteer department.
The Sept. 11 fundraising event will be held from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the VFW Hall at 215 Cheshire Rd. in Prospect. Tickets will be sold tomorrow, Sat., Aug. 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Stop & Shop grocery store at 275 Highland Ave.
Tickets may also be purchased from Danielle Dorin at (203) 314-2270 or Peggy Baker at (203) 272-2575.
The "Josh Budd Benefit Tournament" organized by Cheshire Youth Baseball/Softball on Aug. 21 raised several thousand dollars from the 24 teams which entered.
"Budd's Buddies" donations may be made to:
The Josh Budd Wounded War Vet Fund
C/O Naugatuck Savings Bank
218 Maple Avenue
Cheshire, CT 06416
-or-
PayPal Account: buddsbuddies@cox.net
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