The INFAMOUS Larry Lafferty, was born and raised in Connecticut. After graduating from Warren F. Kaynor Technical High School, he went on to earn an Associates Degree in Electrical Engineering from Waterbury State Technical College (now known as Naugatuck Valley Community College). He then went on to serve in the United States Navy.

A navy veteran of 24 years, he retired as Chief Petty Officer. He definitely got to see the world ... well, some of it anyway. Both assignments as well as deployments afforded him the opportunity to visit places like Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Australia, Guam, China, Hong Kong, Diego Garcia and states of the United Arab Emirates. Some on more than one, occasion. Stateside he has been assigned in Florida, Virginia, Illinois, Hawaii, California and Washington.

Upon retiring from the navy, he remained in the state of Washington for a year, working as a Water Systems technician at a local water district. Then he traveled 8,600 miles back to Connecticut. Along the way, making many stops to visit both friends and relatives, as well as playing tourist. He admits there is a lot more to see, since he has seen more on foreign soil than good 'ole U.S.A. Eventually he would like to visit every state, only 23 remaining.

After his adventurous journey back to Connecticut, he settled down in the town of Oakville. He got hired on with the Watertown Police Department as a Telecommunicator, or simply known as a dispatcher, for all Police/Fire/911 calls. He is approaching his 8th year. Back in November of 2005, he was selected to, and, participated in a delegation to Russia. In Russia, the delegation met with their counterparts to compare the many facets of dispatching emergency response personnel. He said “it was truly a memorable experience for all (United States and Russia) delegates in attendance.”

The few years that Larry has been around, he has been a volunteer in many capacities. Initially he began as firefighter & medical technician prior to volunteering for naval service. During his tenure in the navy, he was a CPR instructor for 5 years. Later he was 1 of 12 directors of the Pacific Beach Citizens Patrol, acting as liaison with the San Diego Police Department, patrolling both the Pacific and Mission Beach communities. In the state of Washington, he was one of the original members to organize a group known as the Mason County Sheriff's Volunteers.

His accomplishments in completing the necessary administration, training of other volunteers, and getting a local mechanic to donate both labor and parts to make a dilapidated ambulance which was donated, functional for service, thus, inspiring all the volunteers and sheriffs department personnel.

Upon returning to Connecticut his volunteerism continued. As an employee of the Watertown Police Department he was inspirational in starting up a recognition event for his fellow dispatcher, to coincide with the annual celebration of National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week. He also participates with the annual toy drive sponsored by the police department for locally deprived children, and assists in the agility testing of new applicants. In May of 2005 he became acquainted with Employer Support for the Guard & Reserve, participated in a BOSS Lift and shortly thereafter became an official member.

In the early months of 2007, Larry got caught up in the "whirlwind" of the Give2TheTroops® organization! From his own experience in both receiving care packages, and his involvement with many other relief efforts, he felt obligated to get involved. Though he tends to shy away from the packing parties, he makes up for it with his collection efforts. He organized several donations drives and fundraisers from his workplace, and in his community, to support the troops, and solicited contributions via the (published & broadcasting) media, posting flyers, as well as word of mouth. His efforts have attracted contributions from individuals, schools, organizations and corporations from as far as Michigan. Due to the overall success of the initial drive back in November of 2007, he was able to convince the Chief of the Watertown Police Department to authorize the police department to become a permanent drop-off site for G2TT. To date he has managed to collect over 10,000 pounds of items for not only the deployed men and women in uniform, but for the military canines, too.

Larry, being a strange breed of individual, wishes to divert any attention, and would much rather compliment those who have help contributing to his accomplishments. Of course first and foremost is Andi Grant, for corralling him into getting involved. Then Shelley Parsell, for her painstaking efforts in the designing of the banners utilized by the police department for both the portrayal of support for the troops, and making one available for shipping off to the troops as seen fit.

Ultimately Larry expresses his overall appreciation for all the other volunteers who are involved, many of whom he has met personally while visiting at the office. He knows from past experiences, that no volunteer organization can survive without the extensive efforts and many sacrifices from all those involved. Larry feels Give2TheTroops organization is full-heartedly blessed, with having the current staff of volunteers.

Email Larry at: Larry@Give2thetroops.org