From 1SG Brian M. Disque
I know a young man who is in desperate need of help. His name is PFC Hunter Levine. He is 20 years old and hails from Houston, TX.
He was in my company and was wounded on 9 May, 2008 while conducting combat operations in East Baghdad. He received a very serious injury to his face, resulting in the loss of his entire bone structure, mouth, nose, and vision.
He was evacuated to Walter Reed Hospital where the doctors performed numerous surgeries to repair his face. I was fortunate enough to attend a Purple Heart Ceremony at Walter Reed while I was home on leave in June. I was also able to meet with Hunter's father Beau.
Hunter was then transferred to a VA hospital in Palo Alto, where the best care for his vision would be available. He is a true fighter with a heart of gold.
Bad News
Unfortunately, I received some bad news from the hospital doctors. Lately, he has been resisting treatment and being somewhat combative with the hospital staff. He has had a few outbursts and the staff is real worried about him. It seems like a serious case of depression is setting in.
Although his wounds on the outside may look bad, they may never compare with the wounds he has on the inside.
I spoke with him on the phone this evening, and he seemed real down. The reality is that he still has a long road to recover and may never see again. This young man has everything to live for and is a true inspiration. He is exactly the kind of person we would all want in a brother, son, or friend. I feel obligated to try and rally some support for him. I know we have a lot of caring people out there who would love to do something special for an outstanding American who gave his all for his country.
Call to Action
If you know of any church groups, school room classes, or other benevolent organizations that would be interested in assisting this brave young man, please forward this message on to them.
He is a pretty typical young man, so he likes sports and other typical young men stuff. A small care package with some goodies and such would mean the world.
Again, please forward this message to as many people as you know. It would be so great if we can all give way together and show Hunter that his country will never forget his sacrifices or service. He is down and needs our help.
Thank you for your support, it means everything.
V/R, 1SG Brian M. Disque
C CO 2-30 IN
"Our Country, Not Ourselves!"
To send your card or letter of support, encouragement and well wishes to PFC Hunter Levine, please contact eMail Our Military. If you prefer to send an email of support to PFC Levine you may do so at eMail PFC Levine and we'll be happy to mail it to him in our packages. Or, drop a comment here and we'll print and mail that too.
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UPDATE:
The Latest News and Information for PFC Hunter Levine can be found here
[ Tags: Action Alert, PFC Hunter Levine, Purple Heart, Walter Reed, 1SG Brian M. Disque, Houston, Texas, Palo Alto, CA, Wounded Warrior, eMOM, eMailOurMilitary, Military Support, Troop Support, Supporting Our Troops, Messages of Support, Moral Support, eMail The Military, eMailing Our Military, Mail Our Military, Mailing Our Military, Mailing The Military, Military Care Packages, Military eMail, Army, Soldiers, Patriotism, eMail Our Military Blog, Honor Duty eMail ]
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20 comments:
My heart aches for you, Hunter and pray that God will heal what can be healed, fix what can be fixed, and give you peace and strength to accept what cannot be. Please know you and your military brothers are whole heartedly appreciated and loved and in our prayers.
Dear PFC Levine,
My prayers are with you. Sending you positive and encouraging energy.
Although you don't know me, I want you to know how grateful I am for your service to this country, our beautiful country, USA.
You are our hero! The sacrifices you made are tremendous in the eyes of those who have never experienced what you've gone through thus, we are immensely grateful!
I'll be thinking of you everyday and praying for your recovery.
I know it isn't easy but I want you to know that you have an army of people here in Houston who DO care and will be by you every step of the way.
Hunter, Thank you, thank you, thank you! May God continue to heal your body, provide you with strength that only He can give every step of the way.
Blessings to you!
Big thanks to our sponsor VPG Printing for contribution 100 pre-addressed cards, to be signed by their local community, for this wounded warrior.
You can find them at:
Vertical Printing & Graphics
2240 Encinitas Blvd #F
Encinitas, CA 92024
Toll Free: 888-246-2004
Fax 760-334-0393
http://www.VerticalPrinting.com
Follow them on Twitter: @VPG_Printing
I've requested his address and will send support as soon as possible.
He and his family are in my prayers.
PFC Levine,
A kind great-grandmother (aka Stormy) from GOPUSA requested that I contact you. Having read your profile by First Sergeant Disque, I can say without reservation that it is good to see you alive, son. I don't have many words, except that you must be one of the toughest SOB's I have had the distinct honor to know. I want to be your friend, and in some small way demonstrate my respect and thankfulness for your service to me. You took the oath and put yourself in harm's way for my family's benefit. Hunter, I've lived a very hard life, and I'm not the big moral exemplar, but I know that I have lived this long because of God's grace. You're young, and you will have a long and good life, tho it will be difficult for a time. God is faithful, and will bring you along. I'm going to contact my daughter in Louisiana and have her send along her thoughts. We'll be in touch with First Sergeant and see if there's something tangible we can do for you to make your recovery a little better. You're going to get better, son.
ALB
Hunter, I hope this message finds you and finds you well. I know you don't know who I am or anything about me. I am a regular guy who appriciates you for what you have done for me and my kids. I have a 4 1/2 yr old son and a 22 mo. old son. You have saved thier lives and I am eternally greatful for the sacrifice you have made. I understand what you are going through right now and know that you will get over the pain of losing your eyesight. 20 years ago my younger brother lost the use of his legs in a motorcycle accident and can never walk again. This has changed everyone in our family. Like you, your injury has affected everyone. That means from now on you are an advicate for the things you have accomplished in the past weather you like it or not. I'm certain that the good Lord has you doing this for a reason and that reason you might not ever understand. just know that you get to make impacts on people for the rest of your life while the rest of us get to watch and be proud of you. Great work Hunter on the job you have done and the job you are going to do. Thanks again from the very bottom of my heart. I will always love you. From Frank Williamson, San Jose, Ca. 408-229-1779
We appreciate you comments! Keep them coming and we'll print and mail them to PFC Hunter Levine.
Hang in there, Hunter! Hang on to this promise that God made through the prophet Jeremiah (and that was a dude that wrote a *whole book* called "Lamentations").
God said, "For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."
God always, always, always! keeps His promises, Hunter. Hang on to that!
Hey PFC Levine,
Keep up the good work with your recovery. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Stay strong & courageous and with diligence and perseverance, you’ll overcome your challenges.
Please know that your Brothers & Sisters in green are behind you 100% and will do anything we can to help you be successful at your mission. We will never leave a fallen comrade. As a Soldier, you must never accept defeat. Those are our Values. That is our Warrior Ethos.
Again, thank you for the service and sacrifice you've made to this great country. If there is anything that I can do, please let me know.
PFC Snipes, Christopher E
HHC 1-15 IN "Can Do"
3BCT/3ID
Dear PFC Levine,
It's a quiet Friday evening. Good for the cat and I to relax after a work week.
Like I said, it's a quiet evening. It could have been an entirely different story had it not been for generations of service members who took the oath to protect this. I can't even find any words that would be adequate enough to express my gratitude for the sacrifices you and so many have made. You have the gratitude, respect, and prayers of so many people, and so many that are here to help you, and your brothers and sisters, to heal.
Thank you. Thank you so much.
Hi Hunter - Hang in there! I know things look tough right now, but you can get through this and be an inspiration to others!
Dear PFC Levine,
I want to thank you for your service and sacrifice to our great nation. It's people like you that protect us and make this country the best place on earth to live. Without men and women like yourself, we would soon lose what we have so long enjoyed.
I know you are going through rough times right now, but with a good attitude, life will get better. Yes, it's okay to take time to grieve for what has been lost, but then, shake it off and get on with the healing process again.
When I met and married my husband, I knew he had RP, an eye disease that would eventually take his eyesight. The loss of his sight did not change him; he is the same ornery, independent, wonderful, caring man I married 45 years ago and I would marry him again in an instant. He learned faster than I did how to cope with the changes his blindness brought us.
Your life will be different from now on but you will adjust to the changes and learn to do many of the things you have always enjoyed doing. You'll just do them in a different way.
I wish you the best now and in the future. My prayers are with you for your complete healing of your body and soul.
Put your trust in God. He will see you through this difficult time in your life.
Best wishes now and in the future,
Gail Skinner
Dear Hunter,
I want to thank you for serving and protecting our country!
You are in my prayers and in the prayers of my family. My heart goes out to you and I know your doctors are doing the best they can for you. Please know that there are many who pray for you!
We all love you dearly, though many of us may have never met you, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Thank you for everything you have given for us,
Corinne Faust
Dearest Hunter,
May you be blessed for your tremdous service to our land of freedom.
This may seem like your darkest hour but please know that God is with you. It is in these times we draw our strength from the Lord. Remember the verse "I can do all things in the Lord Jesus who strengthens me". Your in our thoughts and prayers.
I don't know if anything anybody can say here will help; but if there is the remotest chance that it can, I would just like to add my voice to the people who have expressed their support for you here. I can say that having served with men who have been very severely injured, they have been able to rebuild their lives although I'm not going to make light of the difficulties they experienced doing so. Nor am I going to pretend that those difficulties will magically disappear, even if your physical recovery is as successful as we all hope. But I can say that you are not alone - those guys do exist, and they have fought their way back into lives that have some reward and some meaning despite the loss of sight, limbs and mobility. They also seem to get some enjoyment out of getting me to buy the drinks for once.
Keep those messages of support coming!! We'll print them and mail them to PFC Levine.
PFC Levine,
I'm sorry that you've been badly wounded, and earnestly hope you will have the fullest possible recovery. People can debate the policies of the US leadership in Iraq, but nobody can dispute the courage and devotion and sacrifice that you and your fellow soldiers have shown.
I can't begin to imagine how difficult a time you must be going through; but you've already proven that you are brave, and that bravery will serve you well as you work towards recovery. Thank you for your service, and best wishes.
Hunter, Thank you and God Bless, I am still free because of you, that means a lot to me.
PFC Levine,
I heard about you while reading Blackfive. I printed out the article and have it hanging up in my office cube to remind me every day to pray for you, which I have since Oct 20th. Thank you for your service and may God support you in your road to recovery !
God Bless you.
I don't know how you are getting on, Hunter, but I hope you are sticking to it with help from those around you. I'm sure there are a lot of people still thinking about you and wishing you well. I just wanted to add my best wishes.
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