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Pocono News Section
Golf Tournament Honors Fallen PA Patriot
Golf Tournament Honors Fallen PA Patriot - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 8:55PM EST
Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday, May 12, 2008 @ 08:55pm EST
HANOVER TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY- With a swing of the club golfers took aim at remembering a Back Mountain soldier Monday. 130 people hit the links at the Wyoming Valley Country Club in honor of First Lieutenant Michael Cleary. Cleary was killed in December 2005 by a roadside bomb in Iraq.
Michael’s father Jack Cleary said, “Mike is my first thought in the morning and my last thought at night and many times during the day. Working with the foundation and trying to help others is a way to expedite that feeling."
The golf tournament is now in its third year. It raises money for both a memorial and scholarship fund in Cleary’s name. From helping fellow soldiers who are hurt to other community projects, the effects are wide reaching. Friend Josh Katyl said, “Any time that you can raise money for anyone, not just the Cleary’s and the local community, but anyone on a national scale too, its things like this that we can show our appreciation for people like Mike all across the country."
All across the golf course friends of Mike and the Cleary family were sinking putts. They know this event shows the community will never forget a man who laid down his life for freedom. Family Friend Howie Baird said, “The community will gather around those in need. The Cleary’s have always been a very strong member of the community and we're glad to come out and show our support for them."
Despite threatening skies, the weather held out for the fundraiser, one that Mike's older brother Patrick vows to continue. “If he was standing here with me right now, he would say, Pat you made me so proud. Keep it up!"
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