BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Grassroots initiative Operation Tom hosted a fundraiser in Grand Island Sunday to support their ongoing mission of improving the quality of life for a local veteran and inspiring others to do the same in their communities.
The initiative was born from a friendship between Army Sergeant Major Jeremy Young and Army Vietnam veteran Tom Dunfee, who met during a trip through Honor Flight Buffalo, an organization that provides veterans the opportunity to visit monuments in Washington, D. C., honoring their service, free of charge.
While volunteering, Young learned about the challenges Dunfee had faced since returning home from Vietnam, including significant mobility and health issues related to his service. After the flight, the two kept in touch, eventually leading Young and co-founder Kelly Gast to establish Operation Tom as a way to help and honor Dunfee…