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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Dec 3, 2008 - 11:51:18 PM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Governor Rick Perry auctions off a PEACEofMIND 5K T-shirt signed by Willie Nelson. It fetched a whopping $ 850.00 for the cause. Dr. Van Boven's daughter proudly holds up the framed T-shirt. |
CAMP MABRY, Austin, Texas - Politics were set aside on Flag Day when thousands gathered to hear Dr. Van Boven, Governor Rick Perry and Lt. Gen. Charles G. Rodriguez, The Adjutant General of The Texas Military Forces, kick off an event here on Flag Day that was much more than a run. It was a rally to honor those who fought a cause larger than themselves and are fighting still to overcome traumatic brain injury.
In the shadow of the Capitol building, almost a thousand runners gathered for The PEACEofMIND 5K run, the brain child [pun intended] of Dr. Robert W. Van Boven, a local neurologist, Paul Carroza co-chair, and dozens of behind-the-scenes organizers who saw the largest group of runners ever for a first-time annual run.
Texas Military Forces personnel started their preparations at 5:30 a.m. to ensure that the podium was wheelchair accessible; the helicopter Apaches were cleared to lead the way up above and that the sound system would support a large crowd - and a large crowd it was. In a town where events are the order of business just about every weekend, this one was no exception. The 5K PEACEofMIND run had to compete with three other very popular events, and still people kept on coming.
Young and old bowed their head during Monsignor Richard McCabe's prayer to our military members and when the Colors where posted, one of the injured Soldiers pushed himself up and off his wheelchair to stand straight and proud for the flag he defended in battle.
Another Soldier, Texas Army National Guard, 1st Sergeant Ramiro Ramirez, was not expected to live after suffering severe brain injury from an IED attack in Afghanistan, stood and saluted, the pride on his face almost obliterating his battle wounds.
Rosie spoke for Alan Babin, who as she put it: "claws and scratches his way back to health every day and he is our pride and joy."
Another Soldier expressed his concern about the fact that because sometimes traumatic brain injury is not an outwardly visible wound, it does not receive the attention it deserves. But on Flag Day that all changed because of a concerned doctor with a vision.
He emphasized that this day was for the service members and not for the many VIPs attending the rally or Willie Nelson's daughter Paula, singing a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem or Governor Rick Perry leading in the Pledge of Allegiance, but for those who sat and stood before them so proud and the families caring for them.
The 20 dollar registration fee to participate in the race will go to several agencies taking care of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines with traumatic brain injuries. But, said Dr. Van Boven: "If we break even this year that would be great, if we make some money even better, but the most important thing is that we highlight the families who are coping with this and how we can help them and the service member."
Sergeant Martinez, who himself has undergone surgery and years of physical therapy, is heavily involved in counseling newly wounded service members. He said: "I was told in the hospital that one of the other Soldiers who had a brain injury was acting like a couch potato and was not willing to work with his therapist, so I went to talk to him. I brought different kind of potatoes and spread them out before him and asked him which one he wanted to be the red one, the Idaho potato, the new, old, wrinkled or the ugly potato and I received a smile. My sense of humor maybe a little strange, but it got the Soldier thinking and hopefully back on track with his therapy."
Mary-Jane, his wife, and always at his side, just laughed and responded: "It was good therapy for him too. Our faith in God pulled us through and we are extremely blessed to be able to share that with others."
Dr. Van Boven presented each of the guests-of-honor with a computer game, specifically designed to stimulate brain function and aid in recovery. He is the Director of the Brain Imaging and Recovery Laboratory Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, but said: "I am doing this as a private citizen."
A private citizen indeed - one who exhibited so much energy that everybody around him felt like they were moving in slow motion, but also somebody who inspired everybody around him to dig a little deeper and work a little harder. He reminded us that these warriors do not want our pity - they want our respect. The thousand or so runners certainly gave them that and who knows, maybe these men with their battered bodies inspired some to dedicate their lives to a cause greater than themselves.
Sponsors of the event were: Goodrich, CBS/KEYE Austin Channel 42, RunTex, EADS North America, and Posit Science Corporation. Special thanks went to Texas National Guard's Honor Guard and the Texas National Guard's 149th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion AH-64A Apaches who executed a perfect fly-over at the exact moment General Rodriguez was speaking.
ADDITIONAL PHOTO:
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| Judy Maggio from Channel 42 like many others in the audience was moved by this Soldier's story and his determination to stand for the posting of the Colors. |
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