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Deputies Help Elderly Cantonment Marine Corp Veteran In Need
July 31, 2018
Deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office cleaned up the yard of an elderly Cantonment resident after recognizing that he was in need.
Deputies completed a welfare check on the 87-year old man near Tate High School after neighbors had noticed a change in his home since he lost his wife to cancer.
“Someone was concerned about the resident of this house. When we got here, we saw immediately how it was overgrown,” Deputy Jake Bandurski said.
“After talking to him, we realized there was a little more to it. He was a 24-year Marine Corp veteran,” he said. “About five years ago, he lost his wife to cancer. Ever since then, his house really hasn’t been the same. His neighbors had noticed that ever since his wife passed away, he really hasn’t had the willingness to take care of himself, or his house, or his yard.”
Deputies from the Ensley and Warrington precincts used their own lawn equipment and tools to get his yard back into shape.
“Every one of them showed up today just very willing, every one open to helping out someone that was wasn’t physically able or mentally able to help themselves,” he said.
“Pretty much what ever people could bring…riding mowers, hand tools, pressure washers….whatever people could bring, they did bring. Even if they didn’t have any tools and all they could bring is their hands and a pair of gloves, they are out here helping out.”
“If you see someone in your community…that looks like something hasn’t been right, if their yard is overgrown, just try and talk to them. These are your neighbors. Everyone has a story,” Bandurski said.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
30 Responses to “Deputies Help Elderly Cantonment Marine Corp Veteran In Need”
Great job. What a huge difference. Superman needs some safety glasses on.
This is a great story. I think sometimes an older man that served our country may be a little uncomfortable asking for or taking help for anything. I am sure this gentleman has always been very independent in all areas of his life. It’s probably hard for him to not be physically able to maintain his home on his own. I am thankful for those that have checked on him over time and for the person that called in a well-check. Maybe he felt more comfortable accepting help from the officers. I am thankful that the officers were willing and able to help him out and that the gentleman was open to them helping. Wonderful job!!
If more people would look around their neighborhood, see a need and help that person this world would be a better place. You never know what that person may be going through or their limitations to let their yard overgrow like that.
I did have to laugh at the woman hedge trimming the popcorn tree. All she’s doing is making that thing mad!
The very definition of a community and being good neighbors. Good Lord, if everyone, or at least most people were like this, the world would be so great. God Bless these deputies. The best story I’ve seen on here in awhile.
AWESOME ! ! !
Thank you,,you are true heroes
Thank you so much Escambia deputies. The local American Legion and Posts could learn more about loading up weed eaters/mowers/clippers/edger and just show up! This U.S. Marine certainly showed up for his country and Mrs. Marine gave all. Please always think how hard everyday life is. The ESCO deputies are superhero role models. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts! God Bless you.
God bless our men and women of law -enforcement, their always there for us no matter the need. I know this gentlemen appreciated their help.
@Grand Locust
The problem is if you try to offer help, so many people will get offended and think you are trying to tell them how to maintain their property. Some people aren’t appreciative and get offended by everything.
I live in this neighborhood and the man would not allow neighbors to help keep his yard up for him. It’s a very sad situation.
Those having lost your spouse or close loved one can empathize with this man’s feelings and lack of enthusiasm for everyday living.
Thanks to the LEOs that saw a need beyond their sworn duties.
This is awesome! Great job, officers! The end of the article may lead readers to believe that his neighbors offered no help. I have asked about this house before and was told that whenever neighbors tried to help, they were told to get off the property. He has some very generous neighbors who would love to help if he’ll allow it.
It was so very nice to hear that we still have people out there with hearts of gold. It reminds us that there are still goodness out in our world, not all bad. Thanks to everyone of you!
@Grand Locust my thoughts also. hats off to the good samaritans.
this community is so proud of you guys a big thank you from the bottom of our hearts we truly appreciate you !!!!!!
Thank you for all you done to help this gentleman, deputies you guy’s are amazing
Love this story! Thank you deputies!
People helping people this brings back the good old days. Thanks ECSO.
Such a wonderful story, thank you to the ECSO.
What a blessing. This would be a better world if more people just took a moment to help others who may just need a kind word, deed, or hand. Thank you to those who reached out to this Veteran. He keep us free and able to voice our opinions, have the right to disagree, yet vote, protest, etc. Thank you!
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Thank you to the deputies in this group for caring and doing something about it. Way to go!
What a wonderful sign of humanity. Thank you to this Vet for his years of service and thank you to all who helped serve this Vet. May God bless you all!
Thanks for caring.
Great people creating a great story.
Thank you for this report. My Mama is 92 and thankfully my husband takes care of her yard and other chores. There must be soooooo many neighbors in situations like this.
Great job guys. You all are fantastic assets to our community, both on and off duty !
Good job, but what a sad commentary on this man’s neighbors. We live in a world where a neighbor does not even know who their neighbors are. The real question is if this mess took years, where were the neighbors in offering to help? Where was someone from the safety net checking on this elderly person after his wife passed? This really is not a feel good moment for me because it shows how utterly far we have fallen into selfish comfortable isolation where people do not even interact with people in their neighborhood.
That is fantastic.
William, thank you for recognizing these Officers. With all the fake news others spew out at the drop of a hat, they deserve better. This is just one example of how they help people out and never ask for recognition but just do it because it’s the right thing to do. The job just in and of itself has it’s own challenges and then coupled with the desire from other news sources just to sell papers, they’ll print very misleading information. I still say that’s the reason for the problems that exist today between Law Enforcement and the general public. So thank you on their behalf for the positive factual reporting of this incident and thanks to all the officers involved who took part in it. Always keep in mind that if you can only make one positive change in a persons life, it makes the job worth it.
Fantastic deputies! a defender of this nation like this guy needs all the help he can be given! you honor him and yourselves with the work you put in on his yard!