Charity Spotlight
The 5th Annual Wild Bill Guarnere Golf Outing Written by Craig Whitney Photos provided by Debi Rafferty
The 5th Annual Wild Bill Guarnere Golf Outing and Dinner will be held on Friday, May 31 at the Paxon Hollow Golf Club. In addition to a day of golf, many other fun activities are planned: Speakers, a silent auction and raffle giveaway with some of Bill’s memorabilia, a DJ, and a dinner at the end of the day. All proceeds from this event benefit the Wild Bill Guarnere Memorial Fund, which supports our Veterans and their families both financially and through community education. Wild Bill Guarnere was a World War II Army Veteran who was wounded in action and lost his leg. His story was made famous in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers. Bill and his family traveled around the world, meeting celebrities like Tom Hanks, who produced the series. Bill used his fame to give back to other veterans, donating to veteran causes and traveling to hospitals, to give support and advice to soldiers returning from war due to injury. Bill passed away in March of 2014 at age 90. His funeral service was an amazing symbol of the national respect and affection for Bill and his selfless service to his country. Broad Street was closed as well as the entire route down I- 95 to the cemetery in Broomall. Here, he met his final resting place beside his wife, Frances. The procession made its way through Philadelphia with a police escort. Bill’s granddaughter, Debi Rafferty, remembers that day very clearly. “I remember driving by City Hall, with police cars around us,” Debi recounted. “Seeing people standing and saluting with American flags was very humbling and inspiring.”
Bill Guarnere Memorial
Bill’s funeral service inspired Debi to start the Wild Bill Guarnere Memorial Fund. It started as an effort to raise money for a statue of Bill, which now stands at the Delaware County Veterans Memorial. Awed and inspired by the overwhelming support and love from so many people around the world, Debi decided to continue raising money for the causes Bill supported throughout his lifetime and taught his family to also support. The Wild Bill Guarnere Memorial Fund raises money for causes such as: • Alpha Bravo Canine, which raises dogs for veterans with PTSD • The Gary Sinise Foundation, which supports veterans, first responders, and their families • Memorial education at the Delaware County Veterans Memorial. School children come to the Memorial on school trips, to learn about World War II and the veterans memo rialized there. Debi and her father Gene, a Vietnam War Veteran, come to the Memorial often, to speak to the children about Bill. Debi and Gene are again very excited about the May 31 golf outing, which is the organization’s major fundraising event each year. People of all ages are encouraged to participate. It’s a great way to enjoy the start of summer with golf and dinner while also supporting the fund that continues Wild Bill Guarnere’s legacy. For more information, visit www.WildBillMemorial.org or call Debi Rafferty (granddaughter) at 215-389-3094. NS
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Debi Rafferty, President of her grandfather’s Foundation, admiring his memorial
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