Central NY business honored by National Guard for extraordinary support to military family

Speedy Medical Transport company in East Syracuse receives Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award and Seven Seals Awards

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (05/20/2022) — New York Army National Guard 1st Lt. Christian Larrabee recognized the Speedy Medical Transport company in East Syracuse, New York, and its owner, Jim Dispenza, with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award and Seven Seals Awards on May 17 for exemplary support to a military family in need.

Larrabee, a logistics staff officer assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry headquarters in Utica, N.Y., recommended Dispenza for the Patriot Award and Seven Seals Award to recognize the special contribution Speedy Medical Transport made for his military family.

"My grandfather, Giovanni (John) Rossi, passed away March 2nd at 92 years old," Larrabee said. "He was a prior 27th Division Soldier and had a beautiful funeral with military honors. However, in planning his funeral, I searched far and wide and could not source a wheelchair accessible transportation service for my grandmother to be able to attend her husband's services."

The referral for Dispenza came from a family coworker who already had received quality care for a military family before.

"Just when I had exhausted all the options that I could think of, it was by a miracle that an old coworker of my grandfather recommended I reach out to Jim Dispenza, owner of Speedy Medical Transport. Jim had helped him in the past to get his father-in-law to a family gathering for Thanksgiving."

Dispenza personally used his position as owner to dispatch a driver and wheelchair-accessible van for my grandmother to be able to attend the wake and all services, Larrabee said.

"Jim had a history of helping people in need. Jim was incredible and went above and beyond to help us," he said. "I wanted to recognize Jim and Speedy Medical Transport officially in whatever capacity possible."

The award recognizes Dispenza and Speedy Medical Transport for "contributing to national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in America's National Guard and Reserve force."

Dispenza said it was an honor to have helped with the funeral support and he was thankful for the armed forces to recognize him and his employees.

He was just doing his job and being who he was when he offered to help, Dispenza said.

Larrabee said he wanted to recognize customer care and support for military members that went above and beyond a routine business service.

"At the end, Jim asked me how he could extend his services to the military community so that others who needed his business had access," Larrabee said. "We discussed how to partner with local veteran programs and services and Jim is currently looking into how he can expand his outreach."

"Jim is a patriot and compassionate business owner who deserved to be recognized," he said. "I am honored to have been a part of that process."

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