Firefighters surprise down-on-his-luck veteran with Thanksgiving feast
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – A group of Providence firefighters went above and beyond the call of duty this week to make sure a man who tended to the needs of others had a special Thanksgiving.
The firefighters didn’t want any publicity for what they did, but the Army veteran they helped contacted WRPI-TV to make sure their act of kindness didn’t go unnoticed.
Roger Bergeron fell on some hard times. He was without a home for several years and was recovering from an injury.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to smile and laugh about anything,” he said.
Bergeron just got a new apartment, and on Saturday the former Army medic called 911 for chest pains. Lt. Tim Gingell, Firefighter Rob Bruyere and a few others responded.
“We noticed he had no kitchen table, chairs,” Gingell recalled.
After taking Bergeron to the hospital, the firefighters hatched a Thanksgiving plan.
“He seemed like a real genuine guy, down on his luck,” said Bruyere. “It’s the holiday season, that’s what the holidays are all about.”
“He was a little surprised to see us,” said Bruyere with a laugh.
Bergeron was back at home recovering Tuesday when suddenly a fire truck pulled up outside his house.
The firefighters came right in and built him a kitchen table, then brought in the Thanksgiving feast: a 24-pound turkey and all the fixings.
“I haven’t been this happy in years,” said Bergeron. “I’m shocked and amazed. My smile, it’s still on my face, and I can’t pull it off anymore.”
“It kind of came full circle,” added Bruyere. “He helped people for years, and it was time to give him a hand.”
Bergeron said he now has a few friends coming over for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. He had a message for the people he calls his angels.
“I haven’t stopped smiling,” he said. “I haven’t stopped telling people about this, and I want you to know you’re extremely special in my life.”
The firefighters said they reached out to a few businesses who donated much of what they gave to Bergeron.