'Real Heroes' Get 'Day of Thanks'

For the second straight year Monday afternoon, Aug.6, Barrington’s Bernard “Buddy” Trinkle put together a golf tournament in Seekonk to say thanks to his heroes – disabled veterans.

“It’s not the guy who catches four TD passes and or the guy who hits 40 home runs,” said Trinkle, of South Meadow Road. “The real heroes are the disabled war veterans who went to battle for us.”

The golf tournament was billed “Day of Thanks.” Ledgement Country Club in Seekonk, where Trinkle is a long-time member, hosted the event.

Sixty-eight members and guests played a round of golf with 22 veterans who have suffered physical and mental disabilities during wartime.

“It’s my way of saying thanks,” Trinkle said. “Hopefully, this will help to spread the word to make veterans much more appreciated. I want them to know they are appreciated.”

The thousands of dollars raised from the tournament and proceeds from several raffles will go to “Wish For Our Heroes,” a nonprofit that helps to fill the needs and wants of war veterans. Jeff Wells, who founded the nonprofit organization, traded chip shots and putts with the veterans his organization serves.

“Every penny raised today will go to veterans,” Wells said. “Not 90 or 95 percent. Every penny.”

From Trinkle’s effort, Wish For Our Heroes has become “our nonprofit of choice,” said Jeff Brier, president of the country club.

The honorary chairman of the tournament was retired RI Gen. Reginald Centracchio. He served as master of ceremonies for a pre-tournament ceremony that included an honor guard and the singing by entertainer Anthony Edwards of the National Anthem and country great Lee Greenwood’s renowned ballad, “God Bless the USA.”

Centracchio paid special recognition to the veterans who have received the Purple Heart.

“They know the meaning of putting yourself in harm’s way,” the general said.

Trinkle said the tournament started last year after the mother of the one of the veterans, Sharon Teich, asked him to play a round of golf with her son, Bernie Teich of Providence, who lost his lower leg in combat. Teich had learned to play golf with a prosthesis he wears.

“It started just like that, his mother asked me to play golf with her son,” said Trinkle, an avid golfer. “I said yes, of course.”

Trinkle said he came to realize from that round of golf that he needed to say thanks to veterans like Teich, who put his life on the line for America.

“We all need to say thanks,” he said.

Teich was part of Trinkle’s foursome on Monday, which also included B.J. Andreozzi of Barrington and his brother, David Andreozzi of Bristol.

“Today is one small way to spread the word and give thanks,” said Trinkle.