Posted on 03/29/2006 7:17:44 AM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo
Kyle Anderson, a Marine who was injured in Iraq in 2004, received a $10,000 grant from a citizens group designed to show appreciation for military members and their families.
The grant, awarded Tuesday, was the largest monetary amount the Minnesotans' Military Appreciation Fund has handed out. The money will go toward reading materials and other resources for Anderson's recovery.
Anderson, a former state high school wrestling champion, was injured in October 2004 while on duty in Iraq. Shrapnel from an explosive device penetrated his helmet, crushing the back of his skull and injuring the left side of his brain.
Now, the 20-year-old lives with his father, Tim, and his older brother, Matt, in a one-bedroom apartment in South St. Paul. Kyle Anderson has full use of his left arm and can make facial expressions. He can't speak, but expresses his thoughts by drawing and can write a few words. A normal 20-minute communication can take an hour or more, Tim Anderson said.
"Our life right now? We're still trying to adjust to it. This injury is bigger than anything that's ever happened in this family. We've slowed down. We appreciate things," he said. Tim Anderson, 46, sold a small trucking company he owned to another son, and he is devoted to working with Kyle on his recuperation.
The Appreciation Fund was started last summer as a way to thank Minnesota soldiers who have served since September 2001. The fund has grown to nearly $4 million.
"We don't realize how great our fellow Americans are. The sacrifices they are making on our behalf. For us it's business as usual," said Eugene Sit, co-chairman of the fund.
So far, the fund has given out 2,000 grants and another 500 grants are expected to be handed out in coming months. Approximately 100 applications come in each week.
The grants include $250 for Minnesota military personnel who have served in a combat zone. There are additional grants from $2,000 to $10,000 for those wounded in a combat zone, with the amount based on the severity of injury. There is a $5,000 grant for families of those killed in combat.
Sit said the fund will continue to be important, particularly with 2,600 Minnesota National Guard troops deployed in Iraq this year.
"It is somewhat distant, unrelated, but they are basically our friends and neighbors," Sit said.
Kyle Anderson's medical expenses are being paid by the military, and he will receive a military pension based on the extent of his injuries. An amount has not been determined yet.
Tim Anderson said the portion of his son's brain that controls speaking is gone and what's left needs to find new ways to connect.
"The brain is a funny organ. Communication is such a big part of the mental state. Kyle's brain has not forgot; it just doesn't have the pathway to it," Tim Anderson said.
A good attitude seems to help.
"We're patriots, we did the right thing," Tim Anderson said.
Kyle Anderson responded with a thumbs-up.
What good news. I'm surprised our local media covered it!
Minnesotan Military Appreciation Fund web site: http://www.thankmntroops.org/MMAFhtmlindex.html
Send a letter to thank our MN military troops here:
http://www.thankmntroops.org/admin/Message.aspx
I'll just do that....
God bless this soldier and his family. I pray there's a benefactor, who reads this story, that can give this family whatever it takes to make life the best it can be for them. How reprehensible that our politicians throw away billions on ridiculous pork barrel nonsense while families like this have to suffer. What a disgrace for our country and the voters that put these jokers in office.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.