Mid-Michigan's Brian Schiefer Receives Community Support
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"A veteran is someone who has written a blank check to the Government in an amount yet to be collected..." No truer words were spoken then by this unknown author for so many of our military personnel. For U.S. Staff Sergeant Brian Schiefer, a 2002 graduate of Frankenmuth High School and 6 year veteran of the Air Force assigned to the Army Special Forces, that check has been written at a very high price.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
On November 11, 2008, Staff Sergeant Brian Schiefer was participating in a training exercise in the California desert. While not assigned to this unit, he was filling a two person void to assist in this training. Having previously served in both Afghanistan and Iraq, he knew how important this training was for the unit which is scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan in February 2009.
Staff Sergeant Brian Schiefer was driving a Humvee following another vehicle. The conditions became very dusty and he lost sight of the taillights momentarily just as the vehicles hit a fork in the road. Schiefer's Humvee hit a ravine causing the Humvee to flip injuring both Schiefer and his partner. Schiefer was immediately air lifted to Loma Linda University Medical Center where it was determined that he had suffered spinal cord injuries stemming from a broken neck and back. While the spinal cord was not severed, it was exposed and bone fragments had to be removed. Along with these injuries, he also suffered a broken clavicle and ribs along with a punctured lung. The passenger soldier suffered a concussion and a broken collar bone.
Following initial stabilization and treatment, Staff Sergeant Brian Schiefer was transferred to a veterans hospital in San Diego that specializes in spinal cord injuries. His present condition leaves him paralyzed from the waist down but don't tell Brian this, he is as determined than ever to one day walk out of that hospital.
Brian's parents immediately flew to California to be with their son and didn't return until December 7, 2008. While the emotional toll can not be measured, the economic hardship can only be imagined. Not only are the unexpected expenses present for parents supporting their son who is across the country, but the medical expenses that will be present both now and in the future. Not even a duck an foresee all that will be needed. This is where the Frankenmuth community has stepped forward. Spearheaded in large part by the Frankenmuth Blue Star Families, a local group whose members are parents and relatives of those serving in the armed forces from the Frankenmuth area, massive fundraisers have been initiated to support the Schiefer family.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Teacher Jerry Sheppard of Frankenmuth helped motivate the kids as the high school raised over $1500 in a three day pop can drive. The FHS Honor Society is selling pins to raise money. And area businesses stepped in donating items for the auction that was part of the spaghetti dinner that was held at the American Legion Post #150.
Frankenmuth Blue Star Families immediately stepped in to help the Schiefer family. Organized for just such a need, the Blue Star began formulating plans for the dinner three days after the accident. While the American Legion Post offered it's facility, such businesses as Star of the West donated cookies for desert and one of its vendors donated the pasta. McDonald's Restaurant handled the drinks and Shredd Experts provided the paper products. But it was the people of Frankenmuth that stepped forward to make the spaghetti dinner inspiring in light of such a tragic event.
Over 1000 dinners served as people lined out the door to sample Rep. Ken Horn's special sauce and donate for such a worthy cause. Silent auctions were held for some great prizes and 50/50's every half hour kept it lively and fun. Students, boy scouts and local military personnel all showed to lend a hand. The positive energy was truly flowing as everyone came together for a great cause.
It will be a long time before Brian Schiefer will be able to journey back to Frankenmuth to see and personally thank everyone for such tremendous support. But I am sure that the hug was felt on the California coast.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
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John Keuvelaar |
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