OCALA, Fla. – JackRabbit surprised local military hero Pasquale Burgese with free air conditioning to honor his service and commitment to our nation. Local technicians selected the deserving veteran to receive $10,000 worth of free air conditioning and installation as part of their Thanksgiving service initiative.
Pasquale Burgese, a disabled U.S. Marine Corps veteran, served as a mastermind with Lima Company from 1981 to 1985 while deployed to Beirut. While holding the rank of Private, he received a Presidential Commendation.
“I would like to thank the technicians at JackRabbit for coming out and honoring me with a new air conditioner,” Burgese said. “It is truly an honor to be recognized for my time in service.”
To honor the Marines who died in the Beirut Barracks bombing, Burgese built a replica of the Jacksonville, North Carolina, Beirut Memorial & Grove in his backyard. The memorial wall lists 273 fallen Marines and the words “They came in peace.” It is six feet high and 16 feet wide and features benches and a flagpole.
Burgese continues to volunteer with veterans organizations and led the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Beverly Hills, Florida as commander in 2021 after serving as a military officer. He lives with his service dog, Sergeant Blackjack, and remains close to his nieces, nephews and their children. His 20 year old air conditioner has multiple refrigerant leaks and an oxidized attic coil and vents that need tightening.
“Giving back to veterans is particularly important to me,” said Luis Maldonado, chief operating officer of AirToday USA, JackRabbit’s parent company. “As a fellow veteran, I deeply understand and respect the courage and commitment of those who have served.”
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