Goodwill mission ties up traffic around Greencastle

Anyone who encountered slowed traffic in and around Greencastle Wednesday afternoon can know it was for a good cause.

A convoy of about 250 police officers from the New England states on its way to make a special delivery to a terminally ill 6-year-old boy in Virginia made a gas stop in Greencastle around mid-afternoon.

The Greencastle Police Department and Pennsylvania State Police assisted with traffic for the three-mile long convoy of 95 police cars that exited Interstate 81 for fuel. Police cars and cruisers were seen at all of the many gas stations in that area.

Nathan Norman, 5, of Rustburg, Va. near Richmond has brain cancer and he asked for Christmas cards from emergency responders from across the country. Burlington, Mass. Police Sgt. Gerard McDonough took the wish to a new level by hand delivering the greetings donations from numerous police agencies. Many officers joined in and the volunteer effort was launched and passed through Greencastle.

Greencastle police and the Rescue Hose Company each responded with packages for the young boy.

"While the arrival and departure of the convoy caused some traffic backlog, their mission is a noble one and exemplifies the Christmas spirit, the giving of one's self for others," said Greencaslte Police Chief John Phillippy.

Every cruiser had a green and white ribbon, the colors of Sandy Hook Elementary School plus the same decals that were on the New England Patriots helmets on Sunday night.

Following is a link to a story on the effort: http://www.necn.com/12/18/12/Sick-Va-boy-to-get-a-special-delivery-fr/landing_mobile.html?blockID=815157&feedID=11106