By Greg Gaudio
VIRGINIA BEACH
The four firefighters who kayaked from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Virginia Beach to raise money for charity returned home to a roaring welcome Tuesday.
A fireboat sent two jets of water surging skyward as they paddled under the Pungo Ferry Bridge on the North Landing River. Two fire engines sounded their sirens and more than 100 supporters gathered on the beach next to a former seafood restaurant to meet them.
Mark Hundley, Ray Irizarry, Mark Sturgis and Paul Gleaton pulled up just after 1:30 p.m., completing a journey that began May 19 and spanned more than 1,000 miles. They paddled every day but one, waking up at 5 a.m. and traveling 30 miles before dusk.
Hundley was out first, casting his paddle aside and pumping his fists in the air.
"I'm tired, but I'm glad to be home," the 39-year-old master firefighter said.
"What really makes the trip is the guys you paddle with," said Irizarry, 44, a fire captain. "It's a good group of men."
The firefighters made the trip to help the Shriners Hospitals for Children that specialize in burn care. Located in Boston; Cincinnati; Galveston, Texas; and Sacramento, Calif., the hospitals treat children 18 and younger free of charge.
About $10,000 was raised by the kayakers, said Fire Capt. April Elmore, who spent eight days as a support driver for the team. She said they hope to raise another $10,000 with events later in the summer and donations through their Web site, www.teamvbfd.org.
Hundley and Irizarry were the newbies, Sturgis and Gleaton the veterans. They were part of a team that kayaked up the Intracostal Waterway once before, in 1998, raising $10,000 for the Shriners that time, too.
"The only comparison is I'm just 10 years older," said Gleaton, 47, a fire captain. "But I was in better shape this time."
"It was the same aches and pains, but the same good feeling," said Sturgis, a 39-year-old master firefighter.
Members of the Khedive Shrine Temple, which has 2,700 members and serves Hampton Roads, were on hand to show their appreciation.
"It means a lot to our children," said Don A. McManus, the Khedive Shriners' chief rabban. "It's just a great thing."
Greg Gaudio, (757) 222-5125, greg.gaudio@pilotonline.com
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VB Union at Work
It is great to see the Virginia Beach Professional Fire Fighter's Union (IAFF L-2924) members giving back to help the community and this charity. The union member's sponsored and supported the trip for the second time in ten years. Great Job to all who assisted them along the way!
Let's not forget it is the Union that supports many local charities including the Shrine’s Burn Camp, MDA and many other groups. These men and women give so very much to help others on and off the job. We should all be very proud of their efforts.