Long Island Businessman and Veteran’s Family Present Memorial to Pets for Vets

BAY SHORE, N.Y. - July 20, 2015 - PRLog -- Daniel Wiseman of the Paul McEvoy Memorial Wings for Warriors Long Island foundation and the family of Paul McEvoy presented a check to volunteers and veterans from Pets for Vets in honor of the memory of veteran Paul McEvoy. The funds will be used to help provide companion and emotional support animals to veterans with PTSD.

The presentation event was held on July 19, at 2 PM, at the Even Flow Bar and Grill, 150 E Main St, Bay Shore. The family and friends of Paul McEvoy were present, along with representatives from Wings for Warriors and Pets for Vets, and members of the public

Paul McEvoy (1982- 2014) served in the US Army’s 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team 2-1 Infantry, Head Quarters Company, Thunder Platoon. Sam Fitzpatrick, a Thunder Platoon comrade, described Paul’s character and leadership, stating in a press release, “Paul was the ROCK of the Thunder Platoon. Paul was the bravest, the strongest, the smartest, and most of all the most genuine person on the team. Thunder Platoon had an extremely difficult mission in Iraq. We were assigned to Special Operations for 18 months, taking out the biggest targets in Iraq on a daily basis. Thunder Platoon took down over 200 of the high profile terrorists in Iraq. Each day we were faced with some of the most dangerous people in the world. Paul showed no fear, led by example. We all knew Paul had our back in the heat of the mission. In the end, we became much more than a platoon; we became a family.”

When Paul returned home from service, he experienced post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, while making the transition from active duty to civilian life. PTSD, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), affects nearly 8 million American adults each year. His family, friends, and fellow soldiers supported him in getting the help he needed from the VA. Paul was improving, but he unfortunately contracted a heart virus and died at age 32. His funeral was held on Veterans Day, November 11, 2014.

Soon after, Paul’s friends and family began organizing a memorial fundraiser. Daniel Wiseman, founder of Wings for Warriors Long Island, stated in a press release, “There are thousands of soldiers like Paul defending our country and coming home with injuries, not only physical but also mental. I watched Paul battle with PTSD the last 2 years, and when I heard of his passing I was devastated. This was my way of coping.”

The resulting Paul McEvoy Memorial Wings for Warriors Long Island event was a 2-day festival starting on June 27, National PTSD Awareness Day, and continuing on June 28 at the Even Flow Bar and Grill in Bay Shore. It featured a memorial ceremony led by Msgr. Brian McNamara of Our Lady of Lourdes church in West Islip, a motorcycle ride escorted by the Suffolk County Police Department, and music performances by over a dozen Long Island bands. The event drew in a large crowd and was a huge success, raising $5,000 for charity. Daniel Wiseman stated in a press release, “I miss Paul but I know he's looking down on us all with a big smile. Everyone involved did such an incredible job promoting our event, from the performers to the families, and, of course, my staff. I'm so proud of everyone and can't wait to do it all over again."

Being able to connect with family, friends, and Paul’s comrades provided much-needed emotional support for the family as well. Speaking for the family, Colleen Schwartz, Paul’s sister, stated in a press release, “My personal thanks to Danny [Wiseman]: without the fundraiser, we would have never been so close to a group of people that loved Paul just as much as his family. Strangers still call me to tell me how much my brother meant to them. Please take this brief statement as a small token of appreciation from my family and me.”

On Sunday, July 19, the funds raised from the Paul McEvoy Memorial Wings for Warriors Long Island event were presented to Bill Schneider, a Vietnam veteran and volunteer with the Pets for Vets - New York City and Long Island chapter. He was joined by two veterans who will be receiving trained dogs from Pets for Vets this summer: U.S. Air Force and Army Sgt. Kevin, an Iraq and first Gulf War veteran; and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bill, a Vietnam and first Gulf War veteran, and his wife Martha. Additional veterans from Pets for Vets will benefit from the memorial donation by receiving trained shelter pets throughout the year.

“We are so honored to be a part of carrying on Paul McEvoy’s legacy and his family’s wish of helping as many veterans as possible. This donation will help us train and pair shelter pets with many veterans with PTSD. Our collaboration with the Wings for Warriors foundation and the Paul McEvoy family is a way to say thank you to the men and women who serve this country so bravely. We are grateful to Danny Wiseman and all who helped make this possible,” stated Heidi Hoistad, Chapter Co-Director and Head Trainer, Pets for Vets New York City and Long Island chapter, in a press release.

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Wings for Warriors Long Island is a foundation committed to raising awareness of PTSD and helping local veterans receive companion animals. Founded in 2013 by Daniel Wiseman, the organization has held numerous fundraisers to support the veteran community of Long Island. For more information, please visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wings-for-Warriors-Long-Is.... To donate, please visit http://www.gofundme.com/hx53k8.

Even Flow Bar and Grill, located on main street in Bay Shore, is renowned for its live music shows, award-winning wings, and microbrews. Owner Daniel Wiseman and his staff recently hosted the Paul McEvoy Memorial Wings for Warriors fundraiser in July. Over a dozen bands played for the event, including Craving Strange, Last Turn off Broadway, Revel 9, Vinyl Plane, Permanent Scar, The Drens, Matty Marcus, John Butera, Josh Lefkon, Dying Breed, Gimme the Loot, Blame the Sun, Afterbirth, and Logan’s Room. For more information, please contact evenflowbar@yahoo.com or 631-665-9696, or visit our website at http://www.evenflowbarandgrill.com.

Pets for Vets is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting military veterans with PTSD by selecting and training shelter pets as companion and emotional support animals. With over 30 chapters across the country, Pets for Vets helps heal the emotional wounds of war by pairing shelter animals to match the specific needs and lifestyle of each veteran. We are 100% volunteer-based, and all funds go directly to helping the shelter pets and veterans in our program. We are always appreciative of volunteers, foster homes, donated supplies, and sponsorships. For more information, please contact our New York City and Long Island chapter director at nycli-ny@pets-for-vets.com or 917-617-4988, or visit our website at http://www.pets-for-vets.com. Veterans interested in applying for a Pets for Vets dog or cat may visit: http://www.pets-for-vets.com/apply.