Patriot joins cause

War moves Izzo to do charity work

August 17, 2005|Globe Staff

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''When you talk about the war and all the great things we're doing over there, we're winning. I know that's not the politically correct thing to be saying around here, but it's true. I've seen it. When I talk to people about my experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, they always wonder what they can do to help the soldiers. This is an example of a way to get behind something to help the families of these guys.

''The whole time I was with those guys it seemed so normal. We were just guys talking about sports and laughing. You didn't realize sometimes what it was. Then you'd see the MedEvac helicopter take off and you knew where you were.

''You see soldiers loading the coffins with US flags draped over them into a plane and then you get in and sit down 10 feet away and you look over there and just imagine that those guys were with us just yesterday and now they're not. That was an eye-opener. You think about the families back home that are just devastated. It was definitely sobering to see that. Those are definitely the real heroes of our country."

A different kind of hero, a Sunday afternoon hero, understands the difference now, and all he's asking of the people who have spent so much time and money cheering him and his teammates is one night of their time to celebrate some bigger heroes.

''I just hope people come out," Izzo said. ''It's important to me but it's a lot more important to the families that have already given so much we can't ever really repay them."

On Oct. 24, you can start with a microphone and a band and maybe Larry Izzo rocking at your side.