JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Josh Gillette is a soldier on the mend. Back in November, the U.S. Military Special Forces Bomb Sniffing Dog Handler, was severely injured in an IED explosion in Afghanistan. It shattered his face and arms, blew out his teeth, and sent shrapnel flying into his eyes.
But if you look at him now, he's happy and smiling, even telling jokes. His father, David Gillette said, "That's my Josh. If he can do that, I feel great."
David was happy to see his son Friday, even if it was on a computer screen at the Jacksonville Firefighter Hall in Riverside. They've been struggling since Josh's injury, emotionally and financially. The Jacksonville Association of Firefighters heard about that struggle and organized a fundraiser to help.
"I think a lot of times, people are kind of surprised that a stranger out of nowhere will come and help you," said JAFF President Randy Wyse. "But it's a direct correlation with what we do everyday."
The Gillette family was overcome with gratitude. "I'm humbled by it, really," said David.
So far, the firefighters have raised $7000 for them, and they say the
donations keep coming.
