Active U.S. Marines made a surprise visit to Andrew Gardetto, a Saugus High shooting survivor and Young Marine, on Friday afternoon.
Andrew, 14, is a member of the Santa Clarita Young Marines, a local chapter of youths learning the lifestyle, courtesies and self-confidence of a U.S. Marine.
Tim Lovitt, a neighbor and Marine veteran, knew Andrew’s commitment to the Santa Clarita Young Marines and life goal of becoming enlisted. Lovitt reached out to several active Marines to organize a visit with the survivor.
Lovitt, along with three active duty Marines and three other Young Marines, visited Andrew with a gift basket and dinner. Andrew’s father described his son’s reaction as “surprised.”
“When you meet Andrew, he’s such a special kid,” said Stephanie Shrout, a mutual friend of Lovitt and the Gardetto family, as well as a Homicide Bureau sergeant. “(Andrew) says he wishes he could have stopped (the Saugus High shooting).”
Since the tragedy, Lovitt and Andrew have been connecting over their passion for public services, according to Shrout.
“These kids that were shot that survived are survivors, like going through war,” Shrout added. “Tim has been in it. They can talk.”
Ed. Note: Michael Brown contributed to this story.
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What a great thing to do, thank you. Simplify. I’m sure you made everyone feel good with your visit to the school.