MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The father of the Berkeley County airman critically injured in an ambush attack last week in DC spoke to hundreds of first responders gathered Wednesday night for a prayer vigil in front of the Berkeley
County Sheriff’s Office.
Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe’s father, Jason is a patrol Sergeant with the Sheriff’s Office. “First and foremost, I’d like to thank everybody here. That showed up and showed support for me and my family. It’s the worst thing that can happen to anyone’s family member in this world. I wouldn’t want any of you to have to go through this,” he said. “We’re devastated.”
Sgt. Jason Wolfe spoke at a prayer vigil for his son SSgt. Andrew Wolfe (WEPM Photo)
He credited the prayers of the community for his son’s progress.
“What’s helping us is your prayers because frankly, the neurosurgeon said he can’t believe what’s going on right now with my son’s recovery.
As to the 24-year-old’s current condition, his father said, “He’s still critical, but with any brain surgery, any brain wound, anything could happen anytime. He’s had a couple of small setbacks, but. he’s pushing forward and that’s that’s due to everyone here’s prayers.”
He called the support from folks back home as well as ‘everyone in Washington, DC” overwhelming.
Jason Wolfe says he believes his son’s recovery will be an inspiration.
“Andrew walking out of that hospital is going to be a walking testament,” he said, adding, “It’s going to change lives.”
Speaking to the assembly of firefighters, Air Guard members, West Virginia State Police, EMT’s, city police officers, and other law enforcement from around the Eastern Panhandle in the candlelight vigil that was ringed by fire trucks and patrol vehicles, Sergeant Wolfe expressed his gratitude to the community at large and made the one request Andrew Wolfe’s family has made throughout the entire ordeal.
“I want to thank everybody for being here,” he said, adding, “Just keep praying for my son.”
Hear more here:
Among other speakers were Sheriff Rob Blair, who has made trips to Andrew Wolfe’s bedside and remarked on a tattoo he saw on the young man’s arm. “It was a scripture he had tattooed on his arm,” the sheriff said. “Isaiah 41:10 ‘So do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand,’ and I thought to myself that that scripture perfectly
described the Wolfe family and their strength during this most difficult time.”
Chaplain Candidate and 2nd Lt. Kyle Hamlin who is also a youth pastor at New Life Community Church, offered up the prayer Wednesday evening.
Chaplain Candidate Kyle Hamlin offered the prayer during Wednesday’s vigil (WEPM Photo)
During his remarks ahead of the prayer, Hamlin acknowledged, healing takes time, “But hope can be immediate. Tonight we reach out for hope, and in return, Jesus is reaching back. Reaching back with His peace and his comfort that goes beyond all of our imagination.”
Following the vigil, when dozens of first responders stayed in quiet reflection, Hamlin talked about his calling into the chaplaincy in moments such as these.
“This summer I did all my training in the beginning stages of Chaplain Candidate program and I did not expect something like this to happen so soon.”
“Everything I learned this summer preparing for a situation like this. This is the domain that I signed up for.”
The vigil was the idea of Commission President Eddie Gochenour. He got emotional as he praised the assembled first responders.
“Everyone of you, I knew that when we made the request, that you would show up. Because that’s what you do every day.”
“You’re special,” Gochenour, himself a retired firefighter said. “Nobody else in this world is going to do the jobs that you do.”
“I walked through the crowd and I saw every agency in this county that wears a badge and serves our public. To the guys that are taking care of the vicious animals. To the guys and gals that are taking care of the vicious people in our courtrooms that are about to be sentenced. To our EMS folks … our firemen who crawl through buildings not sure whether they might fall through a floor. Law enforcement. Who knows what you face? But you show up every day,” he said.
“You’re the best and that’s why I felt it was so important to get you together because anytime we have a problem we can solve it. We’ve got good people around us, we get the best people around us to help solve it.”
The ultimate answer for SSgt. Wolfe, Gochenour said, “is truly going to be through prayer. I don’t have the medical expertise to help Andrew, but the Lord is the healer. And that’s where we need to turn.”
