FeedsVeterans host farewell party for reservists
Two Redford soldiers are headed to Iraq with memories of a warm send-off from members of AMVETS 171 in Westland.
In early May, Linda Fabry of Redford searched for a place to host a going away party for her son, Pvt. 1st Class Jeff Fabry, and his long-time friend and fellow soldier, Pvt. 1st Class James Love. Both the 23-year-old members of the Army Reserves were deployed to an unspecified location in Iraq.
A casual conversation with her mail carrier, Mark Igo, who is a member of AMVETS 171 resulted in his suggestion that she contact the post to find out about renting the hall.
She made the call—but the answer she received wasn’t the one she expected.
“As soon as I heard what it was for, I knew she was going to get everything for free if I could make it happen,” said John Wilson, manager of AMVETS 171.
Still, he needed to check with the rest of the members before committing to a large-scale project. Wilson promised he would get back to her soon. The other veterans at the post quickly embraced the challenge and within a few days, Wilson called Fabry back.
“I said, ‘This is not going to cost you a dime,’” Wilson said. “I look for this kind of stuff—this is what we’re here for.”
It was a prospect that floored Fabry, who had simply expected to rent the hall and split the costs with Catherine Love, mother of James Love.
“They just ran with it,” said Fabry. “ They took care of the whole program. We were just blown away by not only their generosity, but by their sincere caring about the boys and what they are going over there to do for our country. I never knew them before—they’re just a wonderful bunch of people.”
In the ensuing weeks, members of the post rallied to take care of all the details for the June 30 party and provided both mothers unexpected free time to spend with their sons.
“We get a lot of support from our members,” said Wilson. “It was all volunteer.”
Even the bartenders and the caterer for the post served the event without charge. Because they received so much help, Wilson said that the elaborate party only cost the post about $500.From dinner to music to a recognition ceremony with full military honors, the AMVETS took care of everything. State-level AMVETS leaders and numerous politicians, including Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano and representatives for Gov. Jennifer Granholm and State Sen. Laura Toy, to pay tribute. It also gave Linda Fabry and Catherine Love an opportunity to present their sons with St. Christopher medals that had been blessed.
“We wanted to make this an event that she wouldn’t forget and that the boys wouldn’t forget,” said Wilson. “It came out better than I had expected.”
The meaning behind their efforts meant as much, if not more, to Fabry and Love as the party itself had.
“The support that we got from these people here and how they feel about our kids—and they’d never met them— it’s that kind of feeling that gets you through as a parent,” said Fabry.
The soldiers agreed.
“I thought it was great,” said Jeff Fabry. He added that he appreciated everything the members of the post had done for him and for both of their families—a sentiment seconded by James Love.
On July 10, Love and Fabry were sent to Fort Atterbury in Indiana for two months of additional training before they go overseas for more than a year. According to Jeff Fabry, they won’t know exactly what they’re going to be doing until they get to Iraq. However, both men are trained as motor transportation specialists, which mean they can drive any of the military vehicles and could do anything from moving supplies to escorting troops. The duo has been friends since their freshman year at Redford Union High School. They originally enlisted in the Army Reserves in October 2003. This will be their first tour of duty in Iraq.
