Late yesterday afternoon, I received a telephone call from my former student Sgt. Brandon Adam (for Brandon's story in my River Journal 'Love Notes' column, check Oct. 25 slightdetour posting).
Brandon had just met the President an hour or so before, and he was thoughtful enough to call me. I wasted no time putting together a story to send to 'Huckleberries Online.' Later, Doug Adam (Brandon's dad) sent me the photo (below) of his son and President Bush, taken by a White House photographer.
So, of course, I'd like everyone to share in this wonderful experience for Brandon and his family. I also extend my sincere thanks to Brandon and Doug for the news tips.
And, on this Veterans' Day weekend, my thanks to all veterans who have served and sacrificed for our country.
Army Sgt. Brandon Adam of Sandpoint met President Bush a couple of hours ago in San Antonio. The President shook Adam's hand and asked how he was doing and if he was getting what he needs to recover from losing both legs above the knee in a roadside attack last May 5 in Baghdad.
Adam said that yesterday his therapist at the Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio (a state-of-the-art rehab center for amputees and burn victims) told him to be sure to show up for therapy today---and to stay a while.
"All the sudden there were Secret Service everywhere," Adam said in a telephone conversation with Marianne Love. "They came flying in and shut the place down. We were just doing therapy, and there was press all over the place.
"The President came up behind me while I was bouncing on an ab ball," Adam added. "He said hi, shook hands, and we had our pictures taken. They're going to send those to us."
Adam said he really liked the President.
"He had a sense of energy that showed he cares a lot," Adam said. "I got that much from him; he was kind and happy to see that we were doing well . . . just checking on his soldiers."
Approximately 20 wounded soldiers were going through therapy during President Bush's visit, and cameras from news agencies were rolling throughout the room.
"While I was doing push-ups, I had at least 90 pictures taken," Adam said. "It was crazy and pretty cool." He says it's possible that footage of the President's visit to the rehab facility may appear on CNN News tonight.
Adam plans to continue his therapy until he's completely adjusted to his prostheses and can run two miles on a track. He estimates that to be March, if not sooner. The soldier graduated from Sandpoint High School in 2003. He signed up for the Army after being emotionally moved by the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, D.C.
He suffered his injury while on his second tour of duty to Iraq. Sgt. Adam is the son of Doug and Karen Adam of Post Falls.
2 comments:
Thanks, Marianne, for sharing.
Kudos to Brandon. I hope that the country can adequately repay him for his sacrifice. Thanks to him for his service.
Kudos to President Bush. We're fortunate to have this good man as our president. His visits with people like Brandon are frequent and sincere...and rarely reported. Don't hold your breath waiting for CNN to report on it.
MJB
This is a very fortunate young man! Thanks for posting.
If you get a chance, check out my blog at eight-thirty.blogspot.com.
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