Retired Minnesota Army National Guard Master Sgt. Launette Figliuzzi and her husband, Tom Figliuzzi, drive into the driveway of their Zimmerman home during a surprise parade for Master Sgt. Figliuzzi on Sept. 3 as Master Sgt. Figliuzzi sheds a tear. Master Sgt. Figliuzzi suffered a spinal stroke on May 29. Because of the civil unrest May 29-30 in Minneapolis following the death of unarmed black man George Floyd, she could not be airlifted to a Minneapolis hospital and was left paralyzed from the chest down.
A motorcycle brigade escorts retired Minnesota Army National Guard Master Sgt. Launette Figliuzzi and her husband, Tom Figliuzzi, during a surprise parade honoring Master Sgt. Figliuzzi on Sept. 3 in Zimmerman. Figliuzzi came home after being discharged from the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center after suffering a spinal stroke on May 29.
A collection of medals awarded to retired Minnesota Army National Guard Master Sgt. Launette Figliuzzi. Figliuzzi served 22 years in the Minnesota Army National Guard from 1979-2001.
A collage of images featuring retired Minnesota Army National Guard Master Sgt. Launette Figliuzzi during her homecoming parade on Sept. 3 in Zimmerman.
A sign made by retired Master Sgt. Launette Figliuzzi's grandchildren on display during a surprise parade in honor of Figliuzzi on Sept. 3 in Zimmerman. Figliuzzi was discharged from the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center after suffering a spinal stroke on May 29. Figliuzzi suffered permanent paralysis from the chest down after she could not be airlifted to a Minneapolis hospital due to the civil unrest May 29-30 following the death of unarmed black man George Floyd on May 26.
Black T-shirts displaying the words "Going the Distance" during a surprise parade for retired Minnesota Army National Guard Master Sgt. Launette Figliuzzi on Sept. 3. Figliuzzi returned home after being discharged from the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center after suffering a spinal stroke on May 29 and she is paralyzed from the chest down.
A ramp installed at the Zimmerman home of retired Minnesota Army National Guard Master Sgt. Launette Figliuzzi. Figliuzzi is paralyzed from the chest down after suffering a spinal stroke on May 29.
Retired Minnesota Army National Guard Master Sgt. Launette Figliuzzi and her husband, Tom Figliuzzi, drive into the driveway of their Zimmerman home during a surprise parade for Master Sgt. Figliuzzi on Sept. 3 as Master Sgt. Figliuzzi sheds a tear. Master Sgt. Figliuzzi suffered a spinal stroke on May 29. Because of the civil unrest May 29-30 in Minneapolis following the death of unarmed black man George Floyd, she could not be airlifted to a Minneapolis hospital and was left paralyzed from the chest down.
A motorcycle brigade escorts retired Minnesota Army National Guard Master Sgt. Launette Figliuzzi and her husband, Tom Figliuzzi, during a surprise parade honoring Master Sgt. Figliuzzi on Sept. 3 in Zimmerman. Figliuzzi came home after being discharged from the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center after suffering a spinal stroke on May 29.
Erik Nelson
A collection of medals awarded to retired Minnesota Army National Guard Master Sgt. Launette Figliuzzi. Figliuzzi served 22 years in the Minnesota Army National Guard from 1979-2001.
Erik Nelson
A collage of images featuring retired Minnesota Army National Guard Master Sgt. Launette Figliuzzi during her homecoming parade on Sept. 3 in Zimmerman.
Erik Nelson
A sign made by retired Master Sgt. Launette Figliuzzi's grandchildren on display during a surprise parade in honor of Figliuzzi on Sept. 3 in Zimmerman. Figliuzzi was discharged from the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center after suffering a spinal stroke on May 29. Figliuzzi suffered permanent paralysis from the chest down after she could not be airlifted to a Minneapolis hospital due to the civil unrest May 29-30 following the death of unarmed black man George Floyd on May 26.
Erik Nelson
Black T-shirts displaying the words "Going the Distance" during a surprise parade for retired Minnesota Army National Guard Master Sgt. Launette Figliuzzi on Sept. 3. Figliuzzi returned home after being discharged from the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center after suffering a spinal stroke on May 29 and she is paralyzed from the chest down.
Erik Nelson
A ramp installed at the Zimmerman home of retired Minnesota Army National Guard Master Sgt. Launette Figliuzzi. Figliuzzi is paralyzed from the chest down after suffering a spinal stroke on May 29.
It started to rain on the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 4 in Zimmerman at the home of retired Minnesota Army National Guard Master Sgt. Launette Figliuzzi. Figliuzzi was being discharged from the Minneapolis VA Medical Center after suffering a spinal stroke on Friday, May 29. She was expecting a normal ride home to Zimmerman. What happened when she arrived was extraordinary.
Figliuzzi and her husband Tom arrived home to a hero’s parade complete with a motorcycle brigade and patriotic American decorations on cars and trucks. When they approached their driveway, the clouds parted and the sun shone radiantly as family members cheered. Master Sgt. Figliuzzi was in tears of joy and disbelief.
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Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
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