During the festivities at Stone Mountain Park this Memorial Day Weekend, it was my great honor to meet Bryan Anderson. Bryan enlisted in the Army in April 2001 and had a ‘ship out’ date of September 11, 2001. He served two tours of duty in Iraq and was stationed in the Baghdad area. He attained the rank of Sergeant in the Military Police (MP), conducted police training courses in Iraq and gained additional law enforcement experience at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary as a prison guard.
In October 2005, Bryan was injured by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that resulted in the loss of both legs and his left hand. As a result of his injuries, he was awarded a Purple Heart. Bryan received rehabilitation for a period of 13 months at Walter Reed Army Hospital. He is one of the few triple amputees to have survived his injuries in Iraq.
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Bryan’s message to me was “I’d like to be seen as someone who inspires others by the things I can do — not the things that I can’t do.” Bryan has been offered by three different organizations to build him a house that would meet his needs; Bryan’s response was “Build the houses for the Veteran’s who truly need it — I don’t”.
Joseph Kendrick, USAF Retired Veteran deployed four times to Iraq in support of JSTARS. Joe gave 27 years to our great country and also inspires all who meet him.
I am thankful for all that serve and have served. I for one WILL NEVER FORGET what Veteran’s like Bryan and Joseph have sacrificed for our country. They are the real hero’s and I salute them on this Memorial Day and everyday!
Barbara Adams, President and CEO, CareerPro Global, Inc.