WELCOME HOME
SGT. DOUG VITALE
USMC
WEST MIFFLIN, PA.
03 AUGUST 2013
The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to welcome home and escort USMC Sgt. Doug Vitale to his Welcome Home Ceremony at the VFW Post 764.
Sgt. Doug Vitale is a 2005 graduate of Kiski Area High School and native of Vandergrift, Pa., where he was a member of the football and wrestling teams. Doug joined the Marine Corps in October 2007, and being in the infantry was the only thing he wanted to do. On September 25, 2011, while leading his squad on patrol in Sangrin, Afghanistan, Sgt. Vitale stepped on a IED pressure plate and lost both of his legs above the knee and suffered strokes on both sides of his brain. He would have never made it home to his family if it was not for the valiant effort of his Marines in the field, who put their lives second in order to get Doug to safety.
After spending nearly 2 years attending the Polytrauma Rehabilitation program for brain injury at the James A. Haley VA Hospital in Tampa, Florida, Doug and his wife, Alexis, will be returning home to Pittsburgh.
On Friday August 9th, Gary Sinise & The Lt. Dan Band will be holding a benefit concert at Stage AE in Pittsburgh. All proceeds will go to build Sgt. Vitale a new “Smart Home”
Let’s all join together and give Sgt. Vitale the Welcome Home he deserves!
STAGING: 3 AUGUST 2013 11:00 AM
McDonalds
2090 Lebanon Church Road
West Mifflin, PA 15122
BRIEFING: 11:45AM
KSU: 12:00PM
FLAG LINE / ESCORT: 12:15PM
Allegheny County Airport
Lebanon Church Rd. & Camp Hollow Rd.
West Mifflin, PA 15122
Immediately following our Flag Line, we will escort Sgt. Vitale and his family to the VFW Post 764 in McMurray, PA. (Approximately 13 miles)
Please keep an eye on the weather forecasts and dress accordingly.
RCIC: Howard Jankey
412-389-2834
Assisted By: Jules Shubuck
724-972-1166
Respectfully,
Isabelle Jankey
HOTH Director
PGR-PA WEST
West Mifflin, PA 15122