30A Skunkape
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From the Walton Sun
DeFuniak Springs? man?s legacy has far-reaching effect
May 24, 2007
Joyce Owen
joyce_owen@link.freedom.com
Those who knew Tim Padgett said if you ever met him, you?d never forget him, but few realized the impact he made.
Following his death on May 8 in Afghanistan, the Walton County community rallied to support his family and mourn the loss of the former firefighter and Army Green Beret. Hundreds lined the streets of DeFuniak Springs to pay their respects when his body was returned, and then again gathered at First Baptist Church for his funeral.
When members of sowal.com, a popular South Walton Web site learned of the young man?s dream to provide stuffed animals to the children of Afghanistan, they set up a toy drive and encouraged others to deliver money or toys to local fire stations.
Fellow firefighters, members of the South Walton Professional Firefighters Association, set up fundraisers to benefit Padgett?s family.
Those local tributes might be expected, but an e-mail from Islip (Volunteer) Fire Department?s Captain Tom Kaminski in New York to South Walton Fire District Chief Rick Talbert was a bit of a surprise to the fire district?s administrative assistant Diane Brown. Kaminski wrote that one of his volunteer firefighters while on his second combat mission as a flight engineer in Afghanistan was involved in the helicopter evacuation of Sgt. Padgett. The soldier had already heard that his patient had died, but it was even tougher when he learned Padgett was a brother firefighter and paramedic, Kaminski wrote. He found the tribute to Padgett on the SWFD Web site and forwarded it to the crew in Afghanistan, which he said, ?gave them some comfort.?
Kaminski?s Memorial Day salute to firefighters who have served in the military which will also honor Padgett. He will include trust fund information for Padgett?s daughter, Summer Lyn.
To send a donation to the trust fund set up through the Walton County Teacher?s Federal Credit Union: WCTFCU/Summer Padgett, P.O. Box 634, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435.
DeFuniak Springs? man?s legacy has far-reaching effect
May 24, 2007
Joyce Owen
joyce_owen@link.freedom.com
Those who knew Tim Padgett said if you ever met him, you?d never forget him, but few realized the impact he made.
Following his death on May 8 in Afghanistan, the Walton County community rallied to support his family and mourn the loss of the former firefighter and Army Green Beret. Hundreds lined the streets of DeFuniak Springs to pay their respects when his body was returned, and then again gathered at First Baptist Church for his funeral.
When members of sowal.com, a popular South Walton Web site learned of the young man?s dream to provide stuffed animals to the children of Afghanistan, they set up a toy drive and encouraged others to deliver money or toys to local fire stations.
Fellow firefighters, members of the South Walton Professional Firefighters Association, set up fundraisers to benefit Padgett?s family.
Those local tributes might be expected, but an e-mail from Islip (Volunteer) Fire Department?s Captain Tom Kaminski in New York to South Walton Fire District Chief Rick Talbert was a bit of a surprise to the fire district?s administrative assistant Diane Brown. Kaminski wrote that one of his volunteer firefighters while on his second combat mission as a flight engineer in Afghanistan was involved in the helicopter evacuation of Sgt. Padgett. The soldier had already heard that his patient had died, but it was even tougher when he learned Padgett was a brother firefighter and paramedic, Kaminski wrote. He found the tribute to Padgett on the SWFD Web site and forwarded it to the crew in Afghanistan, which he said, ?gave them some comfort.?
Kaminski?s Memorial Day salute to firefighters who have served in the military which will also honor Padgett. He will include trust fund information for Padgett?s daughter, Summer Lyn.
To send a donation to the trust fund set up through the Walton County Teacher?s Federal Credit Union: WCTFCU/Summer Padgett, P.O. Box 634, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435.
