EXTRAORDINARY SUPPORT FOR A WOUNDED WARRIOR by Susan Warren
Last Thursday morning I had the opportunity to witness a number of generous non-profit organizations combining
their efforts in their support of a severely wounded warrior, Sgt.
Adam Keys, Army Airborne, who lost three limbs after being wounded
in combat in Afghanistan three years ago. It was the ground
breaking ceremony for Adam's future home on a beautiful wooded
property near Annapolis, Maryland. It began with a beautifully sung
rendition of the Star Spangled Banner which, of course, I teared up
singing! You should know me by now!!! Storms were predicted the night before,
but the Lord knew how special this morning was and He gave us clear
blue skies.
Adam has been a patient at Walter Reed National Military
Medical Center-Bethesda since he was injured, and has had a long
roller coaster recovery. He has endured over one hundred surgeries and numerous
setbacks, but he has been tenacious in his determination to return
to a life with big plans for his future. His parents Julie and
Steve have been by his side through his recovery, or taking turns
when issues with home and family called one of them away. Adam's healing
has been lengthy and tedious. After multiple surgeries that brought advancement
and then complications that set him back..... through it all he
has remained positive and caused everyone around him to do the
same. His strength and courage affect all those who come in
contact with him. To describe him as inspirational is an
understatement. His personality and his sense of humor truly
uplift all those who know or meet him. He is always smiling!
This event, as well as the land, the architects, the builders, the
interior furnishings and everything else, will be donated by a
multitude of patriotic sponsors, all pulled together by John O'Leary
and Bob Saunders of Warrior Events, and the Stephen Sillers Tunnel
to Towers Foundation/Building for America's Bravest. Stephen
Sillers was a firefighter who ran into the towers on 9/11 and gave
his life on that fateful day saving others. His family formed a
foundation to show their support for those who are severely wounded
while serving our country and also for firefighters injured on
duty. The Gary Sinise Foundation/Lt. Dan Band organizes
concert/fundraisers throughout the country to help raise the money
needed to provide personally modified homes for those service men
and women whose lives are forever altered by their injuries. They
create homes that allow them their independence and sense of
self. Sponsors include sports teams, architects,
builders, designers, suppliers of appliances, furniture,
paint......you name it........all donated to create an adapted home
for their specific needs, that will
make their lives 'normal.'
There were speakers representing the above-mentioned sponsors, each
expressing how incredibly grateful they felt to be a part of this
endeavor. Home Depot, for example, hires
veterans and promises them a future with their company. Adam, using two
canes to stand from his wheelchair to address the audience, recited
the names of those soldiers/brothers with whom he served who did
not return home...stressing that they are the true heroes, and he
would always carry memories of them in his heart.
As the ceremony came to a close, the vocalist asked us to join her in
singing "America the Beautiful" (again more tears), and then the
skies darkened, the thunder clapped and the rains came! God's
timing was perfect, once again. As several of us drove away to a nearby
restaurant to continue celebrating Adam and his future home, I could
not help but appreciate such a memorable gathering of Americans who
deeply love their country and those who have sacrificed so much for
our freedoms here at home. I look forward to seeing Adam's
completed home, and I thank God for the multitudes of
supporters/sponsors who are so willing to be a part of something
much larger than themselves. Patriotism in not dead, not by a
long shot!
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