Sticks For Soldiers Lacrosse Tournament Set For Fairfield Ludlowe Nov. 26

The Fairfield Ludlowe High School lacrosse team and the local lacrosse community will host the sixth annual Sticks for Soldiers Thanksgiving Charity Lacrosse tournament  on Saturday, Nov. 26 at Fairfield Ludlowe.

This year’s efforts will support three severely injured servicemen: USMC Sgt. Liam Dwyer of Litchfield; Army Pfc. Josh Budd of Cheshire and  USAF Tech Sgt. Joe Wilkinson of Troy, N.Y. They each suffered injuries in support of  Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan or Operation Iraqi Freedom.

This past year, Sgt. Dwyer (30) and Pfc. Budd (19) were injured in separate IED explosions iin Afghanistan. Each soldier lost his left leg and received injuries to other limbs, along with extensive soft tissue damage from the shrapnel. They are both being treated with additional surgeries, rehab and prosthetic therapy at the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD.

Veteran Tech Sgt. Wilkinson (32) has progressive leg paralysis and strength loss as the result of a compromised spinal cord with an unclear diagnosis or cause.  He served in the USAF Security forces for 12 years from 1997 to 2009.

Since returning in 2006, he has endured two spinal surgeries and many months of therapy and rehab at Walter Reed and the VA Hospitals in Albany and Syracuse. He is mostly confined to a wheelchair, and struggling to support his wife and three young children in a house needing improved accessibility. 

Mike Voucas, the  founder and Jim Tommins, the tournament chairman agree, “Fairfield Ludlowe Lacrosse is once again proud to host the Sticks for Soldiers event this Thanksgiving weekend.

"As we mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11, showing our appreciation and  raising awareness of the sacrifices made by our service men and women is especially focused. We are also grateful for the outpouring of support from the teams and all the donors and sponsors.   We encourage all players and teams to add to the fundraising efforts and  help us to help these three fine young men. Last year saw our five-year effort exceed $105,000, and we were able to help our  2010 honoree  Brendan Marrocco move into a completely accessible home. Brendan helped us to identify this years’ recipients.” 

Varsity teams from area high schools will participate in a 7-on-7 tournament game format. More than 30 teams are expected this year with more than 450  athletes involved.

Participating schools include host Fairfield Ludlowe, Fairfield Prep, Fairfield  Warde, Ridgefield, Weston, Brien McMahon,  Hopkins, Amity, Hamden, Westhill,  Newtown, Guilford, Hall- West Hartford, Stamford and Norwalk. 

Team entry fees, raffles, and silent auction proceeds will be shared with each soldier for several needs like adaptive housing, transportation, care-giver expenses, and visitation travel.  The tournament opening will start at 9 a.m and each team should play at least three games. A mid-day ceremony will recognize the honorees.

Donations may be sent to: Tom Mason, Treasurer, payable to: “Sticks for Soldiers”, 134 Old Orchard Park, Fairfield CT 06824. For updated tournament information, schedules, location and history, please see   www.sticksforsoldiers.org  and Facebook.