Billy's Air Force Retirement Trip
We are the Lonergan family, and we're here to honor MSgt William D. Lonergan for his 20 years of service in the United States Air Force. A proud enlisted man, "Billy" is about to embark on a job search and return to civilian life but before he does we want to send him on a dream trip to Ireland, the home of his ancestors; a trip that he so very much deserves and could never afford without this Gofundme Campaign.
Billy, Bids, Dad, Son, Uncle Billy, Brother, Uncle Biddy, Lucky Charms, Billy F-ing Lonergan.....whatever each of us calls him, has always been an inspiration. He has served his country with honor and integrity. He and his family have made sacrifies for the past 20 years in ways no one can imagine, living far away from family and friends for most of his time in the service. Billy was away from home on deployment in Kuwait on 9/11 and was on the ground in Iraq when the U.S. invaded Baghdad in March, 2003. Billy had multiple TDY's including places like Turkey, Guam, Korea, Qatar and Belize. He's been in harms way building and repairing airstrips and tent cities during the war as a Civil Engineer. He's also trained countless Air Force men and women to protect our country, their Troops and themselves while a Combat Trainer. And, for those who've made the ultimate sacrifice, he honors their memories as a flag bearer by participating in the Run For the Fallen Events and the Ruck Run for American Gold Star Mothers. He also organizes Troops to run the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers 5K in honor of a NYC Fireman who lost his life on 9/11 since he's been stationed @ McGuire AFB.
Tunnel To Towers Run
American Gold Star Family
Despite the hardwork, long hours, massive time spent away from family and air conditioning, partial hearing loss from all the shelling in Iraq, he's still the funniest person we know. He's a loving dad, husband, brother, uncle, and friend. He's a teacher, a story-teller, and one of the most loyal people you'll ever know.
As we all know, in the 20 years he's been in the Air Force, Billy's made it a priority to always be there for his friends, family and his Troops. Even while away from home, he tried to Facetime, Skype or call on birthdays, holidays, weddings, plays, prom nights and he managed secret deliveries of flowers to his wife, Maria (we still don't know how he did that). He's been there to take care of family, friends and stranger's in times of need and he's laughed at us when we've fallen for the "this ice cream smells funny" joke yet again. Now it's time that we honor his service and fellowship as well as recognize the sacrifices made by his wife, Maria -with a 2 week deployment to the Emerald Isle.
Billy & Maria have been married for 25 years and have NEVER gone on a vacation together. Not even a honeymoon. So this is what we are planning for them:
A moment to talk about Maria......
Maria is retiring from service as well - as a dedicated military wife. The courage, stress and hard work that goes along with her unbelievably important role is something to be admired. She is one of the most kind-hearted people you'll ever meet. She's patient and loving and you feel better just being near her. Every time Billy was deployed she showed strength, bravery and grace and ensured the care and support of their 2 children, Dylan and Kelty. In addition, Maria was a volunteer for the youth groups on every base they lived on and made sure the kids had someone to talk to and a safe place to go if needed. To this day, those kids, (now adults), all over the world keep in touch with Maria because of that special bond. So it's easy to see that Maria really deserves this trip too.
So...let's please band together, Lonergan's, friends, family, EVERYONE out there who is reading this.....please help us deploy Billy and Maria on an epic trip to Ireland, where they can visit Billy's Dad's ashes at the Guinness Factory in Dublin, have a proper pint and tour the endless beautiful fields of green. After 20 years of service it's the least we can do.
Please contribute what you can - every little bit helps. And please feel free to share this page with other friends and family and on social media.
Thank you for your support!
The Lonergan Family.
