by Lisa Colangelo
A group of active and retired New York City firefighters are rallying for a Marine sergeant gravely wounded in Iraq in 2005.
Sgt. Eddie Ryan was shot twice in the head and flatlined twice on a rooftop in Iraq. His recovery has been called miraculous, but he still needs round-the-clock care.
After the Veterans Administration stopped paying for Ryan's physical therapy, retired Firefighter Joe Morstatt pulled together volunteers to travel to Ryan's Sullivan County home and help with some basic physical therapy.
Last week, supporters raised more than $15,000 at the annual Sgt. Eddie Ryan Poker Run in New Jersey to pay sky-high medical bills. But poor weather hampered the turnout.
"We're helping Eddie, but at the same time educating people about traumatic brain injury and the ongoing struggles with the Veterans Administration of veterans and their families," said event organizer Jeri LaMorte-Kopin.
She can be reached at (732) 259-0720 for information or to make a donation.
The Ryan family has set up a Web site: www.helpeddieryan.com.
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