Help for Two of the Boston Bombing Victims

Gary Fouse
fousesquawk
http://garyfouse.blogspot.com








Today, I received this message from the Association of Former Federal Narcotic Agents, of which I am a member. I am posting it below. It concerns two victims of the Boston bombing who are nieces of a DEA employee at Washington Hqs. One of them (Nicole Gross) is pictured above in the orange and black running suit) The below meassages give details on funds set up for both of them.

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Dear AFFNA Member:

I got an email from AFFNA Member Dave Quilter regarding an extended member of the DEA family that needs help. I like many of you that passed through HQS back in the day knew and worked with Peggy Alexander, very bright and helpful lady. Dave tells me that two of her neices were injured in the Boston bomb attack. You probably saw both of them on the news as their story is compelling. I am repeating Dave's note below.

David G. Wilson Executive Director



Folks:

A very good friend and colleague of many of us at DEA Headquarters, Peggy Alexander, shared the following with me yesterday. I know I am going to contribute to the fund set up by her family and hope others will consider giving as well.

Here is Peg’s message to me:

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Some of you may have heard and some may not. My brother's daughters Nicole B. Gross and Erika Brannock were severely injured in the Boston bombing. Our son Scott is organizing a benefit concert (see above photo) to raise money for their medical and other expenses. I have attached a flyer, but for those of you who are not in the Garrett County area and would like to contribute please send checks to Scott Alexander, Brannock/Gross Benefit Concert, c/o Susquehanna Bank, 305 East Oak Street, Oakland, MD 21550. We are organizing a night of raffles and a 50/50 along with good music and great Mountain State Brewing beer and chow. Hope to see you there.

Thanks so much for helping. Love, Peggy Brannock Alexander



Lake Wales, Florida – The DailyRidge.Com has learned that the father of Boston Marathon bombing victims Erika Brannock and Nicole Gross lives and works here in Lake Wales. The sisters were injured in Boston while waiting for their mother (Carol Downing) to finish the marathon. Erika, Nicole and Nicole’s husband Michael Gross were apparently standing in front of the Lens Crafters building when one of the bombs went off. We have been told that the women’s father is Wayne Brannock who works at the Lake Wales Medical Center. Mr. Brannock is currently in Boston with his daughters we have been advised.

Erika Brannock, 29, who teaches preschoolers at Trinity Episcopal Church in Towson, Maryland, has had her left leg amputated below the knee according to media reports. It is estimated that she will remain in the hospital for another month as she tries to recover from her injuries. Her sister Nicole Gross suffered multiple fractures of both legs, a severed Achilles and has undergone mulitiple surgery’s. Nicole’s image went viral (Symbol of Tragedy) after the bombing and it was featured on the cover of the New York Daily News (Link to photo).

A fund has been set up for Erika Bannock to help with costs for her treatment. Here is the website :

http://thebrannockfund.com
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It is at times like these that the DEA family comes together, both present and former employees. Many of you may not know that the DEA office in Oklahoma City was located in the federal building that was bombed. We lost five of our people that day.

If you are contributing to help the victims of the Boston attack, I hope you will put these two on your list.