Neighbors Pitch In To Help Norwood Family Of Wounded Marines

NORWOOD (CBS) - Neighbors are banding together to say thanks to a special family. Two brothers -- both Marines -- are recovering from wounds suffered on the battlefield overseas.

Saturday night's benefit raised money to help the parents visit their wounded sons.

"It just devastated me. I sat there in the car and cried," said Bob Brady.

It was the moment Bob Brady found out his 23-year-old son Craig was injured in an explosion while serving in Afghanistan.

WBZ-TV's Alana Gomez reports.

The news came just months after their older son Carl, also a Marine, was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and PTSD after multiple bomb attacks in Iraq.

A year later, the brothers are recovering in two different states. Carl is in North Carolina while Craig, who is Washington, D.C., treats his amputated leg like a small setback.

So far, Bob and Diane have been able to watch their sons' amazing progress, but financial hardship could hold them back.

"We would not be able to see the boys, just flat out we would not be able to do it," said Bob Brady.

The town is playing a part to keep the family together, hosting a fundraiser to help them with travel funds and show support.

"I'd much rather be a giver than a taker, so really, it's a strange feeling," said Bob Brady.

But leaning back a little, they'll be able to move forward.

"You take each day as it comes and you wake up and you try to have an attitude (that) 'Today is going to be a good day,'" said Diane Brady.

"No doubt out at all, they're going to get better. I have absolutely no doubt," said Bob Brady.

The Brady family actually tried to put off the benefit for months because they didn't want charity, but the town insisted as a gesture of thanks and appreciation for both their sons' sacrifices.