You are the mother of a Marine. You get the call you fear the most: your son is alive but badly burned. You scream, you cry. You fear and feel the worse. There are so many things you don’t know; Where is he? How soon can I see him? How bad is it?
Among the many things you don’t know about is a place called BAMC.
Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) is located in San Antonio, Texas. BAMC is a premier military 450 bed facility, with a state of the art Amputee Care Center and the military's only burn center, called the Institute of Surgical Research.
From the moment the medevac plane touches down in San Antonio, the Military Liaisons, who are watching over our wounded and their families 24 hours each day, meet the medevac and accompany this mom and dad to visit their son, one of the most difficult times in their lives. The Military Liaisons truly go above and beyond to ensure that each Marine and Sailor, and their families are ‘taken care of”.
The leader of this remarkable group at BAMC, is LtCol Grant Olbrich. LtCol Olbrich volunteered for his duty 2 years ago. His selfless service and those of his team have made all the difference, a priceless gift, for our wounded and their families. It was time for LtCol Olbrich to move to another duty station, but just like the rest of BAMC's Marine Liaisons have done, he has just asked to stay on for another year. Shannon Morales, Henry Abimbola, SSgt Martinez, SSgt Garcia, Sgt Gonzales, Sgt Fore, Sgt Barreras, Sgt Contreras, Cpl Rodrizuez, LCpl Chairez- are all part of the Marine Liaison team and devote their time, love, and compassion to our wounded and their families around the clock.
Once the Military Liaisons escort this mom and dad to see their son, our BAMC IMSFF case volunteers quickly step in. Sheryl Reid, Kimberly McConnell, and Darcus Vinetti, provide emotional and financial support, so that this mom and dad can focus on their son and not worry about their loss of wages, their home payment, their bills that will pile up as they refuse to leave their son’s bedside. Our BAMC IMSFF volunteers bring exceptional talent to this very special group of wounded Marines and Sailors. Sheryl, wife of a retired USMC Colonel, and mother of an active duty USMC Capt, knows first hand what it feels like to receive that dreaded call that their son has been injured. Kimberly, married to a USMC Major, received her PHD in psychology after losing her first husband in a combat tour during Desert Storm. Darcus recently joined our IMSFF team with years of experience as the spouse of a retired Marine. Our extraordinary IMSFF case volunteers lend their hearts and knowledge at a critical time in hospitalization and recovery for those facing many months to years of burn and amputation rehabilitation.
Together these teams assist this mom and dad, and their son, so they are not alone at this very difficult time. They are embraced with support and comfort as they face their long road of recovery.
BAMC is where “Miracles” happen each and everyday. The Miracle of the human spirit, the Miracle of love and commitment, the Miracle of healing in spite of overwhelming odds…. is what our IMSFF team has experienced around every corner of this hospital! Words can never adequately describe the emotions that this Marine, his mom and dad, are facing. Your donations have allowed IMSFF to ensure they are not alone or forgotten, and the fact that IMSFF will be there throughout his BAMC stay, his recovery, and with him as he transitions home and back to his community. For those who have sacrificed so much for our Country’s freedom, we thank you for providing the miracle of HOPE and COMPASSION when they need….”We the People…” to join together to ensure that they are never alone. Thank you for being a part of this noble effort and continuing to provide the necessary financial gifts to keep this program at the ready for those at BAMC and other military hospitals across the country!