Fitzmorris’ legacy lives through outreach

While Joseph Patrick “JP” Fitzmorris spent only 32 years on this earth, there can be no doubt he left a lasting impression on the countless individuals whose lives he touched.

A veteran of several deployments to the Persian Gulf, he participated in humanitarian relief efforts following earthquakes in Haiti.

As a lifelong resident of Louisiana, he was a talented athlete and avid outdoorsman who loved to cook what game he killed or caught.

Ruston High School, Ducks Unlimited, Louisiana Tech University, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Trinity United Methodist Church — Fitzmorris fully immersed himself in circles far and wide. Now that impact is being felt by veterans through acts of kindness made in his memory.

“Each year JP’s family and friends gather to do something to honor his memory,” said Julie Graham. “This year we decided to partner with our local VFW Post and help them with outreach in JP’s name.”

Graham, a member of the group memorializing Fitzmorris, reached out to Post 3615 Commander Tom Boniol to see where they could plug in with the project.

Boniol offered suggestions that connected with different service initiatives the post had on the calendar for the 2023-24 year. Graham immediately saw a place that looked like a good fit, something Boniol said was perfect for one of the year’s focal areas.

"When we put together the calendar this year, we had very intentional and specific dates each month for members of the Post to go visit veterans that are in the nursing home or homebound,” he continued. “When we found out the Fitzmorris project was going to help us make this special for our veterans, we were really excited.”

The group honoring Fitzmorris gathered one weekend over the summer and put together “goody bags” for the post members to deliver to the veterans. Two bags for each veteran contained patriotic themed items along with basic necessities and a card commemorating Fitzmorris, a United States Navy Helicopter Air Crewman 1st Class who was killed in 2012 when his MH-53E Sea Dragon crashed during a downed aircraft recovery operation of another helicopter in Oman.

According to Boniol, nothing could be more perfect than honoring local veterans while also honoring the memory of a fallen comrade.

“The VFW motto is ‘no one does more for veterans’ and for me, this is a great example of how communities can fit into making that happen,” Boniol said. “You have a group who committed to helping our Post honor veterans today while paying tribute to one of our own who gave the ultimate sacrifice. I know after our visits when the veterans really have a chance to review the card and know this act of kindness was made in loving memory of another veteran, it really means the world to them.”

Different members of the VFW Post went together to nursing homes throughout the area as well as made visits to homebound veterans and their families. For those making the visits, it was a blessing and a joy.

“To see them smile, for them to know they’re not forgotten, that’s so important,” post member Paula Freeman added. “And to know that at the same time, we’re letting the family of JP Fitzmorris know he’s not forgotten either. It’s just a good project.”

Thanks to the generous donation from the Fitzmorris project, the Ppost is still equipped for more visits and will continue proudly sharing not only the goody bags, but the message attached as well.

“Each bag has a tag that says ‘thank you for your sacrifice and for fighting to protect our freedom’ along with images of the American flag,” Boniol shared. “ You have no idea what that means to a Veteran, for someone to say thank you and recognize the service and sacrifice they have given while honoring our flag. And to know this project is all done in honor of someone who sacrificed it all, well, it’s just one of the best things we’ve been able to do. May God Bless America and those who have served and continue to serve.”