Coach Dick Vermeil and Chester County Hero Fund to Host Benefit

Coach Dick Vermeil and Chester County Hero Fund to Host
Benefit for Local Serviceman
Jay Raffetto, Navy Corpsman, was injured in Afghanistan
MEDIA CONTACT:
Bill McCusker
(215) 981-4227
[email protected]
BERWYN – January 6, 2011 – Former Philadelphia Eagles Coach Dick Vermeil and the
Chester County Hero Fund have teamed up in support of Jay Raffetto, a young Navy Corpsman
who was seriously injured in Afghanistan late last year. The announcement was made by Jon
Kane, an attorney with law firm Pepper Hamilton and a Vietnam War veteran.
“We are pleased to announce that Coach Vermeil will be hosting a wine tasting of his vineyard’s
wines on February 24, 2011, at Aneu (Meredith’s Bistro) in Berwyn, to raise funds for the
Chester County Hero’s Fund and Corpsman Raffetto,” said Kane. “This brave warrior has
sacrificed so much for our country and our freedom, and now he needs our help.”
On August 5th, Raffetto was seriously injured in an IED (improvised explosive device) explosion
in Afghanistan. He lost both legs above the knee, his left arm above the elbow and three fingers
on his right hand. He faces a long road to recovery and is currently working on his rehabilitation
at Walter Reed Army Medical Center where he and his wife Emily go to therapy twice a day.
Raffetto grew up in Chester County and his family lives in Devon. He attended
Tredyffrin/Easttown schools and graduated from Conestoga High School. He volunteered not
only to become a Corpsman, but to go through the arduous training necessary to become a
Special Amphibious Marine Reconnaissance Corpsman (SARC), a highly elite team that
provides advanced trauma management for its wounded comrades. Raffetto was one of a handful
to successfully complete that training and was serving with the 1st Marine Reconnaissance
Battalion when he was wounded.
Dr. Robert Priem, the Raffetto family physician, said that the military has a strong support
system that assists wounded warriors with rehabilitation and occupational therapy and training.
“Still,” said Dr. Priem, “Corpsman Raffetto and his wife face a lifetime of physical, economic
and emotional challenges.”
“That’s why we’re not hesitant to ask local individuals and companies to lend their generous
financial support to Corpsman Raffetto,” said John DiBuonaventuro, President of the Chester
County Hero Fund and who, along with Kane and Priem, is a member of the Steering Committee
planning the special event with Coach Vermeil. “We are honored that a Super Bowl winner and
two-time NFL Coach of the Year is part of our team helping Corpsman Raffetto,”
DiBuonaventuro added.
Kane explained that a minimum donation of $200 will be needed to attend the wine tasting event,
though the Steering Committee would be happy to accept a lot more from those who can help
further. He added that those who cannot attend the event are still urged to lend their support to an
outstanding cause.
DiBuonaventuro directed those interested in supporting Corpsman Raffetto to the Chester
County Hero Fund website at http://chestercountyherofund.com/. “This young man has already
given more than we will ever be able to repay,” he said. “However, we can all help make the
path to recovery for this valiant young man and his family a little easier.”
About the Chester County Hero Fund
The Chester County Hero Fund is the nonprofit organization that is assisting with fundraising to
aid Corpsman Raffetto in his recovery.