Las Vegas NowLocal Solider Prepares for Sixth Deployment
LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- As the nation celebrates Independence Day, one local man is preparing for his sixth deployment.
Anthony Fusco's family has made many sacrifices. Anthony has been wearing the uniform since 1996. Not only is he getting ready for another tour of duty, his wife is also deployed.
Fusco comes from a family of patriots. Next month he will go fight in Afghanistan. This is a familiar routine for him and he is proud to serve his country.
"Someone has to keep us free, so I do it for these guys," said 1SG Anthony Fusco, U.S. Army, referring to his children.
Fusco must say goodbye again to his daughters 7-year-old Desiree and 10-year-old Dana. In addition to that, his wife, 1LT Melissa Fusco, is also in the military and serving in Afghanistan the last two months.
"We go over there, and we provide freedom for other countries," Fusco said.
Dorothy Fusco is proud of her son. She is president of the Blue Star Mothers of Henderson and Boulder City.
"He turned out absolutely magnificent. He is a leader. He takes care of his men. He keeps in touch. He's got children that he has to leave to go into the war zone. But he goes every time he's called," she said.
As proud military moms, the Blue Star Mothers all share a common bond. They are committed to sending supplies to the country's warriors and thanking the troops for their service.
"We've all raised heroes, and we're all so very proud of our children and what they chose to do with their life and that they're there supporting our country," said Chere Pedersen, Blue Star Mothers of Henderson and Boulder City.
Fusco will deploy again to support his country. It's a duty he carries out with pride and patriotism so others can experience freedom.
"We took a tyrant out from being above them, and that kind of gratification it really hits you, right in the heart," he said.
The Blue Star Mothers will be the grand marshals of the Fourth of July parade in Boulder City on Saturday and they are collecting supplies for the troops. You can drop off items at Colonial Bank branches through next week.
More information on Blue Star Mothers of Henderson and Boulder City
The Blue Star Mothers of Henderson and Boulder City is a newly-established chapter. The organization holds general meetings on the second Thursday of every month at Colonial Bank at 1440 Paseo Verde in Henderson from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Military family members and citizens who want to volunteer are invited to help pack boxes that will be mailed to troops in the war zone and share stories about military heroes.
On the fourth Thursday of every month, the chapter meets at the parish hall at St. Thomas More Catholic Church on North Pecos in Henderson for "comfort meetings." They are designed to educate people about being a Blue Star Mom and to help struggling military families. Members of the public interested in sending letters to deployed troops may write to the chapter at bluestarmomsnv@yahoo.com or call (702) 469-5622. The Valley's original chapter is called Blue Star Mothers of Southern Nevada.
