Jericho Fans Embrace One Of Their Own Serving In Iraq

July 22, 2008 - PRLog -- Over the course of the last year, fans of the post-apocalyptic drama Jericho have reached out to fight for the resurrection of their beloved show, but they’ve also sought out the resurrection of restored hope for people in need – from stocking food bank shelves to shipping DVDs to deployed military members overseas craving entertainment options to raising funds for a small Kansas town devastated last year by an EF5 tornado.  Jericho fans also are standing behind one of their own who’s currently stationed in Baghdad, Iraq.
Since December 2007, Sgt. Patrick Neal of the 102nd Forward Surgical Team, based out of Ft. Lewis, Washington, has become somewhat of a cause célèbre to fellow Jericho Rangers, as they are often called.  Discovered during a campaign to recruit new and former Jericho viewers for saving the show from another cancellation, Sgt. Neal responded with the story of his deployment to Baghdad to assist wounded American and Iraqi personnel.  What ensued is indicative of fans’ continued drive to not only save their show, but to also help others.  In a matter of weeks, Sgt. Neal and his fellow soldiers became recipients of nearly 2,000 pounds of care packages full of DVDs and CDs, toiletries, books, Bibles, games, stationery, gum and mints, and other items, in addition to hundreds of holiday and ‘thank you’ cards showing Jericho fan support for their efforts.
However, the story of Sgt. Neal did not end there.  In fact, it has just begun, as Neal is now demonstrating that he and his family, too, have the same caring hearts as the fans who supported him and his fellow soldiers.  Sgt. Neal and his family are spearheading their own campaign to raise awareness of autism, a perplexing neurological medical condition with which Neal’s son Brendan was diagnosed at an early age, and to bring needed relief to other military families suffering from the effects of the disorder.  
Neal is asking for assistance in shining the spotlight on two Web sites he has helped to create:  http://pieceofthepuzzle.synthatsite.com/index.php and www.autismtreatmentcenter.org.  “With a program to help Brendan and our family in various ways, we are committed to paying it forward and assisting military families who may need help in the future,” said Neal. “We wish to set up a fund for military families needing assistance in gaining access to programs specifically designed for children diagnosed with autism.”
Sgt. Neal recently sat down for an interview with the Jericho4Kids site (www.jericho4kids.com) and spoke of the compassion of the Jericho community and his family’s campaign on behalf of autism awareness.  Information regarding Neal’s autism awareness campaign can be found on several other Jericho-related sites, including www.jerichorises.com and www.jerichooncbs.blogspot.com.