LAX to Support Wounded Cheshire Soldier Joshua Budd

Organizers of the Sticks for Soldiers Thanksgiving Charity Lacrosse Tournament have chosen Cheshire soldier Pfc. Josh Budd as a recipient of the benefit event.

The event has raised $105,000 over the last five years with $60,000 last year alone to help 2010 honoree Brendan Marrocco. With the tournament's support, he was able to move into a completely accessible home. Marrocco worked with organizers to choose this years’ recipients.

Budd was seriously injured in July while serving with the US Army in Afghanistan. He was on patrol when his unit was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED).

Budd lost one leg, severely fractured his other leg, and suffered other serious internal injuries. He is recuperating at Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland.

While his medical costs are covered, travel costs to the hospital are not. The Budd family have five children. Josh, 19, is the oldest. His mother, Barbara, has temporarily moved to Maryland to help care for her son.

Two other wounded soldiers are also being honored this year:

USMC Sgt. Liam Dwyer of Litchfield and USAF Tech Sgt. Joe Wilkinson of Troy, New York.

The tournament's 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.

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.