Meet Anthony

Operation Second Chance has really came through for this OIF/OEF Soldier.

I am a SSG (E-6) who Joined the Army in 2003 after a 9/11 commitment to myself and our country. I am an 68W combat medic that served multiple tours on the front line of Iraq in the Army's first Stryker Brigade out of Fort Lewis Washington (1-14 Cav). We saw heavy combat throughout our 3 trips across Iraq in 2003-2004 as we escorted VIPs and supply runners.
I was inside my 44 ton Stryker when we were targeted by a car bomber on the 9th of February 2004 in Talifar Iraq. I sustained a broken back during the accident and evacuated all 5 of my Soldiers that were injured. All fortunately survived even though they sustained multiple injuries. Three days later we were buying munitions back from the Iraqi civilians for as little as 2 dollars per bomb when one of the bombs were remote detonated killing 2 and wounding 7 others. I helped treat and evacuate the injured even though we were working on them while laying on live ordinance.
I have had three surgeries on my back so far and have severe PTSD with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. I was an inpatient at Madigan Army Medical Center after leaving Germany. I had several close encounters in Iraq and luckily no time to reflect while in country. I loved being in the Army and I miss it every day.
Operation Second Chance (esp. Cindy McGrew) helped me to go through the simple process for Operation Second Chance. Your organization and donations have helped us financially, emotionally, and physically. This has helped me in my recovery process and I hope you will be able to help another deserving Soldier as well. I want to let you all know that you have restored my faith in what I went to war for my fellow Americans. Sometimes we lose sight of the good people that we serve and I would like to THANK YOU on behalf of the Wade Family.