Archive | Soldier Story | Warrior Transition Command

DoD Features AW2 Veteran Joe Beimfohr

Filed under Soldier Story by jvargas on October 29, 2009 at 3:40 pm {no comments}

Photo from AW2 Veteran Joe Beimhofr's Wounded Warrior Diary

The Department of Defense released a new Wounded Warrior Diary yesterday that features AW2 Veteran Joe Beimfohr. The DoD Wounded Warrior Diaries series aims to share the stories of American servicemembers who have been wounded in combat and have won battles on the road to recovery. Retired SSG Joe Beimfohr’s story certainly fits that billing as he has gone from being severely injured in an IED blast in 2005 to finishing marathons and teaching self-defense to people with disabilities:

“When I woke up and I was alive, that is what changed everything — that was the last thing I asked God,” he said. “When I woke up and realized I was alive, everything else didn’t matter, because I was alive.”

During recovery, Beimfohr was different from most of his fellow wounded warriors in that he had less family support to assist him through his recovery. He said he believes this propelled him to move forward and to not feel sorry for himself. In the absence of family support, he relied on the staff at Walter Reed, peer mentors and his comrades in arms, who all helped him recover.

“During that time when I was by myself and didn’t have anyone, it was probably the hardest times, and I just had faith that things would work out,” he said. “I had faith in myself, and I knew that I wasn’t going to call it quits.”

To read the rest of AW2 Veteran Beimfohr’s story and to watch his video diary, please click here to visit the Wounded Warrior Diaries Web site on Defense.mil.

AW2 Veteran Wins ’40 Under 40′ Award

Filed under Soldier Story by jvargas on October 29, 2009 at 9:38 am {no comments}

Photo caption: AW2 Veteran Derek Duplisea, his Family, and Raytheon and The Arizona Daily Star employees during the 40 Under 40 award ceremony, October 15, 2009. (Photo courtesy of Joe Jackson, Jr.)

AW2 Veteran Derek Duplisea, his Family, and Raytheon and The Arizona Daily Star employees during the 40 Under 40 award ceremony, October 15, 2009. (Photo courtesy of Joe Jackson, Jr.)

AW2 Veteran Derek Duplisea was presented with the 40 Under 40 award in Tucson, AZ, on October 15, 2009.

The annual 40 Under 40 awards are presented to 40 of Tucson’s young community leaders by The Arizona Daily Star and presenting sponsor Snell & Wilmer LLP. Nominations highlighted their professional accomplishments, charitable work, and leadership skills. This year’s theme was 40 Under 40: A ‘Get It Done’ Generation.

Duplisea, Project Manager and Wounded Warrior Liaison for the Raytheon Missiles Systems (RMS) Wounded Warrior Program, supports what they call Operation Phoenix (RMS Military Relations). As part of his job duties, Duplisea has visited all four wounded warrior programs within the military and met with the local Department of Veterans Affairs, Transition Assistance Programs, Army Career and Alumni Program, and Warrior Transition Unit representatives. Duplisea attends military career fairs, develops the RMS Wounded Warrior Program, and spreads the word to other Raytheon companies.

“I will continue to do my best for Veterans, wounded warriors, and Family members as we enter the second year for Operation Phoenix—and not just for Missile Systems, but for all Raytheon business units and corporate,” said Duplisea.

In August 2006, SFC Duplisea was severely wounded while conducting a traffic control point when a suicide bomber detonated herself five feet behind him. Duplisea almost lost his right arm and suffered a shattered right femur, a severe traumatic brain injury, shrapnel wounds, and burns.

To read more about Duplisea and the 40 Under 40 award, visit: http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/specialreports/312901.

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Department of Defense of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites, the United States Department of Defense does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations.

AW2 Weekly Update 10/23-10/29

Filed under Soldier and Family Story, Soldier Story, Staff Stories, Weekly News Digest by jvargas on October 26, 2009 at 5:05 pm {no comments}

AW2 Veterans David Antoine and Jordan Riddle were featured in a Tusacaloosa News article about their injuries and how fly fishing helps them recover.
AW2 Veteran and Speakers Bureau participant Joe Beimfohr was featured in this month’s American Way Magazine, which is on board every American Airlines flight, in an article about participating in the Soldier Ride with a one page photograph of him riding in front of the Washington Monument.
AW2 Soldier SPC Michael Cane and AW2 Veteran Vincent Short were featured in an ABC News video about the Army’s Caisson Platoon providing a new life affirming mission through helping wounded warriors learn how to ride horses for physical and emotional therapy.
AW2 Soldier and Veterans Affairs Assistant Secretary MAJ L. Tammy Duckworth was featured in a Virginina Pilot article after she spoke to servicemembers about her own story as a wounded Iraq Veteran as well as the VA’s plans to improve services.
AW2 Soldier SFC Chris Edwards, Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) assigned to the U.S. Army Garrison Baumholder, was featured in an Army News article about being a wounded warrior who embodies the meaning of leadership.
AW2 Soldier SSG Gabriel Garcia and SSG Ramon Padilla were featured in an Associated Press article about a program that teaches amputee Soldiers and Veterans the game of golf.
AW2 Veteran Sean Lewis and AW2 Soldier SSG Ramon Padilla were featured in a Maryland Gazette article about a Salute Military Golf Association golf tournament to honor wounded warriors.
AW2 Veteran T. Patterson Maney, retired brigadier general and currently a judge, was featured in a NWF Daily News article about the work he has done for homeless Veterans.
AW2 Soldier SPC Keith Maul and his wife were featured in a Palm Beach Post article about a vacation package they received from Operation Second Chance.
AW2 Veteran Edwin Salau was featured in CNN article discussing a nonprofit pilot program called Operation Proper Exit that allows wounded Soldiers and Veterans to return to Iraq as a way of healing. AW2 Soldiers and Veterans 2LT Richard Ingram, Ethan Payton, and Luke Wilson were also featured in an Army News article about the return to Iraq.
AW2 Veteran Loyd Sawyer and his wife are featured in a Military Times article about their struggle to get behavioral health assistance for him.
AW2 Veteran Jason M. Schulz and his Family were featured in a Journal-Sentinel, Milwaukee, article about volunteers building a home for them in Eagle’s Preserve subdivision.
COL Jim Rice, AW2 Director, and Roberta Berry, AW2 Career Coordinator, were featured in Army News, in an article about Disability Employment Awareness Month and AW2’s Career and Education Section supporting AW2 Soldiers and Veterans.

Gen. Odierno discusses Operation Proper Exit

Filed under Soldier Story by jvargas on October 21, 2009 at 10:32 am {no comments}

Wounded Warriors welcomed as part of Operation Proper Exit II

Last week Gen. Ray Odierno posted a note on his Facebook Page to discuss his reaction to meeting six AW2 Soldiers and Veterans, as well as one Marine, who as part of Operation Proper Exit II, were returning to Iraq for the first time since sustaining serious injuries as part of their combat duties in the country:

The Wounded Warriors were welcomed with applause and cheers from hundreds of fellow service members as they entered the rotunda of Al Faw Palace at Camp Victory, Iraq. Following a ceremony in which they were introduced by Multi-National Forces – Iraq’s Command Sergeant Major Lawrence Wilson, I had an opportunity to sit down with them and discuss the progress taking place in Iraq as a result of their work and sacrifices.

I believe these visits by our Wounded Warriors are important as they allow them to see the improvements in Iraq and that their sacrifices weren’t made in vain…

The six AW2 Soldiers and Veterans that made up Operation Proper Exit II were AW2 Soldier SFC Joshua Olson, AW2 Veteran Luke Wilson, AW2 Soldier SGT John Hyland, AW2 Veteran Craig Chavez, AW2 Veteran Edwin Salau, and AW2 Soldier SGT Robert Brown.

In addition to Gen. Odierno’s note on Facebook, The New York Times featured the operation last week and the article details AW2 Soldiers SGT Hyland and SPC Chavez’s return to the forward operation base where they were injured:

The two who had been stationed at this forward operation base were Sgt. John Hyland, 38, from San Antonio, who lost his left leg and suffered back injuries when an improvised explosive device hit his Humvee in 2007, and Specialist Craig Chavez, 29, from Temecula, Calif., blinded by a 2006 I.E.D. blast that destroyed his face — now reconstructed — and cost him his left eye and most of the vision in his right.

To Specialist Chavez, it was a point of pride that he navigated the base without any help. “I do it,” he said, “because I have to.”

The soldiers were most struck by the lack of noise here now. “The biggest thing in the world is the silence,” Sergeant Hyland said. “We haven’t heard anything all week.” Not mortar shells, once common around Normandy, nor the distant sound of an exploding I.E.D…

Click here to read the rest of the article from The New York Times and click here to read the rest of Gen. Ray Odierno’s note on Facebook (may require a Facebook account).

Operation Proper Exit a program supported by Disabled American Veterans, the Troops First Foundation, and the United Service Organizations.

AW2 Weekly Digest 10/12-10/16

Filed under Career/Education, Soldier Story, Weekly News Digest by jvargas on October 19, 2009 at 4:40 pm {no comments}

AW2 Veteran Clayton Carver, featured in the Fort Hood Sentinel, won the 2009 Fishing for Freedom Tournament and was awarded a $19,000 bass boat.
AW2 Soldiers and Veterans SGT Robert Brown, Craig Chavez, SGT John Hyland, SFC Josh Olson, Edwin Salau, and Lucas Wilson featured in The New York Times and Army News, participated in Operation Proper Exit to go to Iraq where they were injured to assist with healing and closure.
AW2 Veteran Derek Duplisea was chosen as one of the recipients for this year’s 40 Under 40 awards by the Arizona Daily Star because the work he does beyond his job description evokes awe.
COL Jim Rice, AW2 Director, and Roberta Berry, AW2 Career Coordinator, participated in a Bloggers Roundtable for Disability Employment Awareness Month and were featured in an article on the Associated Content Web site.

Community Comes Together for a Purple Heart

Filed under Soldier Story, Staff Stories by jvargas on October 16, 2009 at 5:25 pm {no comments}

AW2 Veteran Jeremy Harrell and his wife Alisha at his Purple Heart ceremony on October 10, 2009.

By Lee McMahon, WTC Stratcom

On July 2, 2006, on a road east of Balad, Iraq, the vehicle AW2 Veteran Jeremy Harrell was traveling in was struck by an anti-tank hand grenade. Harrell received shrapnel and burns before leaping into action and responding to the attack by pulling the gunner to safety and returning fire. For his actions that day, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device.

On October 10, 2009, Harrell received his Purple Heart Medal from injuries received in the 2006 attack which ultimately ended his Army career. An error in the original packet delayed the orders being issued to give Harrell his Purple Heart. Harrell’s AW2 Advocate, Cori Cabell, worked to re-submit the packet and have the Army correct the mistake. In front of Family and an audience filled with well-wishers, Harrell was presented the Purple Heart Medal by Louisiana Senator David Vitter. Members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and Gold Star Mothers attended the ceremony held at the U.S.S. Kidd museum in Baton Rouge.

I had a chance to speak with Jeremy Harrell before the ceremony and asked him what it meant to receive this long overdue medal.

“It brings closure to certain chapters. It verifies the last thing I earned,” he said.

LA VA Secretary Lane Carson and AW2 Veteran and LA VA Outreach Coordinator Michael McNaughton also attended the ceremony to support Harrell and his Family. AW2 Advocate Cori Cabell told me it was a remarkable sight to see. All these individuals from different decades of service, in different parts of the government, with different relationships to Harrell, all gathered for one purpose—to see a wrong made right and to honor the service of one of our country’s brave service men.

Harrell’s goal now?

“Try to live my life. One day at a time. Volunteer some of my time to other guys. Help others who have been through similar situations.”

Thank you for your service, SPC Harrell.

AW2 Weekly Digest 09/28-10/09

Filed under Advocate Story, Soldier and Family Story, Soldier Story, Weekly News Digest by jvargas on October 13, 2009 at 12:45 pm {no comments}

AW2 Soldiers and Veterans Bryan Belcher, MSG Dexter Durrante, and SFC Rashe Hall, featured in The Fayetteville Observer, participated in a 20-mile bike ride on Fort Bragg.
Eleven AW2 Soldiers and Veterans were featured in amazing stories about their recoveries and experiences in the fall issue of the USO magazine, On Patrol. Soldiers and Veterans featured are Joseph Bowser (pgs. 39-42), SGT Robert Brown (pg. 2 and pg. 22), SGT Christopher Burrell (pg.22), SSG Kenneth Butler (pg.22), Erick Castro (pg. 60), SGT Brandon Deaton (pg. 24), SPC Jerrod Fields (pgs. 39-42), Brad Gruetzner (pg. 24), Matthew Nyman (pgs. 32-37), Marco Robledo (pg. 24), and SPC David Shebib (pgs. 32-37).
AW2 Soldier LTC Greg Gadson and his spouse Kim, featured on the Army Web site, shared their experiences with the Schweinfurt, Germany, community.
AW2 Veteran Craig Hall was featured on a FOX News Report about the support Wounded Warrior Project provides for wounded warriors.
AW2 Soldier PFC Heath Kirk is featured in an article in The Morning Journal about his injury, recovery, and hopes that others will join the Army.
AW2 Veteran Vincent Mannion was recognized at a football game and the footage is available on YouTube under American Pride at Its Best: A Soldier Comes Home to The Football Field at .
AW2 Veteran Michael Minard and his Family, featured on the Homes for Our Troops Web site, will be receiving a home from the organization.
AW2 Soldier SPC Jeremy Pierce, featured in The Stateman-Journal, has taken his first steps toward returning to duty with the Oregon Army National Guard.
AW2 Veteran Luis Rivera-Rios is featured in a Turret article about his Family’s military history, the Purple Heart, his injury, and the support he received from the WTU and AW2. AW2 Advocate Joyce Garrett worked with Rivera-Rios and helped him find a job with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

AW2 Weekly Digest 09/21-09/25

Filed under Soldier and Family Story, Soldier Story, Weekly News Digest by jvargas on September 28, 2009 at 2:58 pm {no comments}

SFC Mark Allen and his Family, featured in the Star-Banner, in an article about SFC Allen being in the polytrauma unit of the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Tampa and his Family’s appreciation for all the support that they have received.
AW2 Soldiers and Veterans SGT Robert Brown, SGT Christopher A. Burrell, SSG Kenneth Butler, and retired SSG Bradley Gruetzner, featured in Stars and Stripes, returned to the places where they were wounded in Iraq under Operation Proper Exit, a program that aims to speed their recovery and close a painful chapter in their lives.
AW2 mother Linda Cope, featured in The News Herald, is the organizer of the “Warrior Beach Retreat,” that brought approximately 40 wounded Soldiers and their Families to Panama City Beach as part of her scheduled retreat.
AW2 Veteran Shawn Graves, featured on KXLY-TV, spent a week with 20 other men wounded in combat at the Pinelow Retreat Center in Deer Lake, WA.
AW2 was featured in a PRNewswire release that featured AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, Families, and staff, and discussed the program and the AW2 Community Support Network.

Wounded Warrior Diaries: SFC Jongema

Filed under Soldier Story by jvargas on September 22, 2009 at 1:27 pm {no comments}

SFC Jarrett Jongema and his Family

AW2 Soldier SFC Jarrett Jongema was featured yesterday on DoD’s Wounded Warrior Diaries, which aims to share the stories of American servicemembers who have been wounded in combat and have won battles on the road to recovery. During SFC Jongema’s video he discusses his incredible survival and recovery from a massive car bomb that killed two and injured eight of his fellow Soldiers while on a security mission near Baghdad International Airport on September 18, 2004:

The force of the explosion blew Jongema out of the vehicle’s turret and threw him more than 50 feet away, where he was impaled on a razor-wire fence. He then bounced to the other side of the fence on the exposed side of the overpass. While hanging from the overpass, Jongema was shot several times when the group began to take fire…

Jongema said he has undergone 36 surgeries and a large amount of plastic surgery because he didn’t want anyone to know that he was injured.

“You really can’t tell I’m injured unless maybe I take [my] shirt off,” Jongema said. “I had phenomenal plastic surgeons. And that should say something about the military’s medical efforts. Look how well they’re able to put people back together.”

His entire healing process has been about maintaining and trying to get back to as normal a life as possible.

“If I can’t do something, I’ll let you know it,” he said. “As with every soldier, if there’s something that we can’t do, we’ll let you know it. But for the most part of us, those of us who are wounded and want to stay, we just want to continue to drive on. We just want you to support us with what we want to do, and at the same time understand the challenges we may have to face both physically and mentally.”

Click here to read the rest of his story on Wounded Warrior Diaries and click here to watch his video.

It Has Been an Honor to Serve AW2

Filed under General, Soldier Story, Staff Stories by jvargas on September 18, 2009 at 1:57 pm {14 comments}

SGM Brent R. Jurgersen (left) bends down to speak to AW2 Soldiers CPT Fayette Frahm (center) and CFC Christine Jones.

SGM Brent R. Jurgersen (left) bends down to speak to AW2 Soldier CPT Fayette Frahm (center) and AW2 Veteran retired MAJ Kristi Hilton (right).

By SGM Brent R. Jurgersen, AW2 Soldier

AW2 Friends and Family,

It is with a heavy heart that I write this, but I feel I need to take a few minutes and bid you all farewell.

It has been my honor to serve as the Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program, or as I often like to say, serve as “your” SGM. It has been a responsibility that I have taken very seriously, and executed with great dedication, commitment and passion. It has been a great experience and one that I will never forget.

For the AW2 Staff (military, Department of the Army Civilians, and Contractors), it has been my honor to serve with you, work alongside of you, and be your SGM. I thank each and every one of you for what you do. AW2′s accomplishments have been many and great, but they are great because of people like you, and more importantly because of our Soldiers, Veterans and their Families, and that is what we always need to remember. I have to recognize the contract managers who have done an outstanding job in leading their contract teams in support of our mission. I especially want to thank our Advocates, as you all know; I have a special place in my heart for our Advocates and what they do on a daily and often a nightly basis. From an AW2 Soldier myself, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, as I truly believe you are making a difference, and will continue to make a difference as AW2 evolves to meet the ever changing needs of our Soldiers, Veterans and Families.

I would be remiss if I do not also thank all of our former AW2 staff members who have moved on to other opportunities, as because of them and their contributions, our program is where it is today, and our Soldiers, Veterans and Families have benefited enormously.

For the AW2 Soldiers, Veterans and Families, where does one start? It has been my privilege to serve as your SGM, to listen to your stories, and to have your trust and confidence to either assist you or represent you in implementing change. I often said, “I have the greatest job, traveling around the country, meeting and listening to our country’s heroes.” You all have humbled me, kept me grounded, and reminded me of what we are here for. I have so many memories of you all. You have impacted my life forever, and I am grateful that I have had this opportunity. I wish you all the best in finding and living your new normal. You all have made a difference.

It was also fitting that my last major event with AW2, was this year’s Annual AW2 Symposium in San Antonio. Again, I had the privilege to meet so many of our Soldiers, Veterans and their Families, listen to their stories, and see their commitment in wanting to effect change. It was an amazing experience. But this year was a little different for me, as I saw so many of our AW2 Soldiers, Veterans and/or Family members that I had met over my tenure with AW2, and it was amazing to see how they have healed, recovered, and are leading successful lives. I often had a tear in my eye as I remembered our first encounter, and now proudly look at them and where they are in life. We are an amazing generation of Soldiers, Veterans and Families, and I am proud of you all.

I look back at my career, and I have been successful in my career, largely because of my interactions and relationships with people, making myself accessible to Soldiers and their Families, 24/7, and this organization was no different. I value the relationships that I have formed while at AW2, as it was important part of our success, and because of this we have made a difference.

To many of you, I have appreciated your kind comments over the last two years. Your personal support has been greatly appreciated, and I have enjoyed serving with you as your SGM. You have treated me as a Command Sergeant Major and I appreciate the respect you have given me.

I leave proud of our accomplishments. I leave proud of our organization and staff. But more importantly, I leave proud of our Soldiers, Veterans and their Families and everything they have accomplished.

Without a doubt, this has been the most rewarding assignment I have had…and it is sad leaving AW2, the Staff, and most importantly, the Soldiers, Veterans and Families.

Thank you all and I wish each and every one of you the best……

Respectfully,

“Your SGM”

SGM Brent R. Jurgersen

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