A Must Watch and Must Share PLEASE?!?!?!?!?!
It's non-profit organizations like this one that helps our Military Families in positive ways. Any and all support, please!
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Sunday, April 21, 2013
2 Year Injury Anniversary
Ever have that moment, when you have so much to say but then as you write or talk you become speechless? I'm feeling that right now, I don't know where to start or even what to say anymore.
All of my emotions are hitting me at once. I literally don't know what I would do if Jeremy were not here today, I wouldn't know how to live, or even to move on for Seth. It's scary to think like that but after what we have been through, we don't even know what tomorrow holds.
It's a complete honor to be a Wounded Warrior Wife (Hearts of Valor). One of the things that I admire about my husband are his thoughts.
"I was just doing my job", "I wouldn't change this", "I'm not handicap, I'm handicap-able"
Thank you to everyone that has ever stood by our sides, it's people like you that keep us going everyday!
Saturday, April 20, 2013
PRE-Anniversary
Please let me start by saying that I have such a Wonderful Husband. I have so many emotions going through my mind right now as we are ONE DAY AWAY from HIS/OUR 2 Year Anniversary that has changed our lives forever!
Right now, we are enjoying some time away in France. He likes to say it's to Celebrate my Birthday but I like to say it's to Celebrate that he is still STANDING next to me THROUGH THICK AND THIN, FOR SICKNESS AND HEALTH.
Even 2 years later I try not to think about that day because it upsets greatly! I can't take watching War movies anymore, it's hard for me to hear about that day from other Soldiers/Brothers that were there that day, and it's hard for me to hear the pain and suffering that Gold Star Families go through. It sets me into reality everyday, it could have been worse for us.
(Gold Star Families are families that have lost a child and/or sibling while serving our Country Overseas)
Within the past 2 years Jeremy has accomplished so much, he has set a great example for our sons, for myself, for our families, and most of all for himself. It's hard to believe that a man that is amputated almost 2 inches above his knees can surf, ski, cycle, kayak, and walk!
I will set my alarm again this year at 0630 tomorrow morning just to SQUEEZE THE CRAP OUT OF MY HUSBAND AND KISS HIM UNTIL I STOP CRYING!
Until Tomorrow......
Thursday, March 7, 2013
A New Year...... A New You...... A New Us
So far, 2013 has been GREAT! A lot has happened within the past few months that I can honestly say that our family has grown to a new level. Communication within my family is something that I cherish and of course with friends but........ The root in my opinion has to begin with family, if you can't communicate successfully with family then how can you communicate successfully with others.
My family has started to settle in to it's own and by that I mean we have and still are beginning to adjust to what our purpose is for each other and for ourselves. We are NOT perfect, we have our arguments we have our disagreements, and we have our OWN personalities. This is actually how we have always been though, it's what works for us. So, as the days, months, and years now have gone by we look back upon That Day and notice exactly what WE mean to each other. It's not about the things we have, it's not about the time we have left..... it's about today, it's about seeing my family everyday, giving hugs and kisses when we go our separate ways, it's about remembrance.... because we will always remember that day.
One of my many New Years Resolutions was to put more time towards myself. Of course I love giving all of my time to my family but I don't think I can function to my fullest without my manicures, pedicures, massages, and tanning sessions.... lol. I have started to do some part time work at Seth's school and even though it's only for a couple of days a week, I absolutely love it. It helps get me out of the house and see new faces. I also have helped Operation Homefront/Hearts of Valors (Wounded Warrior Wives) by volunteering my time. I have always liked to volunteer and now that I am in a place in my life to help contribute my time to help other wives and/or families that have been through similar situations is great for me.
Jeremy has done so well thus far this year. For someone that has gone through so much pain and suffering has really out done himself. In January he started cycling and kayaking.
In May, he leaves us for a few weeks to enjoy the beautiful hills of France all the way to London! Yes, they will be taking a ferry. Operaton Comfort is a non-profit organization that has put this wonderful trip together specifically for Wounded Warriors. The past two Saturdays he has cycled 33 miles with Operation Comfort to prepare for this long journey. He has also been kayaking and has really come to love it. Seth and I actually went with him one time so far and WOW that is a lot of work. Although I had a hard time just trying to stay straight and not turn in circles, Jeremy however does not have that problem. Hopefully he will make it to finals in July of this year. Jeremy will also be competing in the Extremity Games again this year in June. He has a lot of work and training ahead of him but I have no doubt what so ever that he can pull this off and come home with a single digit place.
Back in 2011, Jeremy went with the CFI (Center For the Intrepid) to surf in California. He had such an amazing time and I believe I even blogged about his trip about a year ago. Well, last month Van Curaza (Founder of Operation Surf) came to our home to interview Jeremy for a promotional video, in regards to Operation Surf. The founder, instructors, and volunteers that help this organization are unbelievable. Our family will forever be thankful for you all and helping Jeremy get back up on his legs again!!!
Our family has for sure come a long way. I guess life really does only give you challenges that you CAN handle! At this rate we CAN handle anything and it's obviously NOT going to break us.
To donate, sponsor, or need to kill time here are the websites for the organizations mentioned above:
Hearts of Valor (Wounded Warrior Wives)
http://www.heartsofvalor.org/
Olympic Outdoor Center
http://www.kayakinstruction.org/clubportal/ClubStatic.cfm?clubID=1972&pubmenuoptID=41000
Operation Comfort
http://www.operationcomfort.org/
Operation Homefront
http://www.operationhomefront.net/
Operation Surf
http://www.operationsurf.com/
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Our Families Mission: Accomplishments and Goals
Our Families Mission: Accomplishments and Goals: The couples that are Meant To Be are the ones who go through everything that's designed to tear them apart and come out even StrongeR! ...
Accomplishments and Goals
The couples that are Meant To Be are the ones who go through everything that's designed to tear them apart and come out even StrongeR!
I came across this quote the other day and have thought a lot of how the words compare to our family. With our struggles within this past year I feel as if a lot has happened that could tear one's marriage apart. Not only have the physical injuries been stressful for our family but the mental injuries and the emotional injuries. I believe that we have definitely come along way as individuals, as a couple, and as a family.
Since July, some accomplishments and goals have been met (Thanks to the public).
As I stated back in July, I entered Jeremy into a True American Hero Contest that was sponsored by Dickies and The Exchange. The second part of the contest was based off of public voting that ended August 6th. I am just so proud and honored to share that he killed it. SSG Jeremy Breece is the winner of the True American Hero Contest for 2012. A ceremony is being held on 17 September at Fort Sam Houston, Jeremy will be presented with a $25,000 check from the Fort Sam Houston Base Commander, the COO of AAFES, and Dickies Representative. Prior to the ceremony, a limo is being provided to pick Jeremy, Seth, and I up from the house to the ceremony and back home! I just think that this all so far is way cool for Jeremy and definitely deserves every bit of it. On the 18th, a photo shoot is taking place of MY wonderful HERO. We are so thankful for everything that has come his way, you don't always see a lot of social media regarding the positives of our soldiers and the sacrifices that the soldiers make on a daily basis. So, we thank you all!
A few items purchased thus far;
Another accomplishment our family has endured has been Mr. Seth starting pre-school. With all of the craziness going on in our household, the fact that Seth was growing and becoming more aware was beyond my belief of understanding. I sometimes look at the photos of when Seth was born and it amazes me how fast life changes. Although, he has gotten in trouble twice now for not listening and for knocking the play house over he has adapted very positively. I love to pick him up and see what he did that day. I love to hear what he did and what he had for snack. Even though I hear the same things everyday, "I played on the slide" "I ate pop tarts" I still adore him.
I would like to think that when a toddler hurts themselves its by accident and not on purpose. We are talking about Seth though, so when I see a 100% boy hurt themselves then its because it was a mission, a goal, and see how bad we can freak mommy out. He knows very well not to jump on furniture and not to jump off of furniture but that is all that he knows, until....... Seth has decided he is going to save the world by jumping off of the couch, landing on his back with his arm twisted underneath. I always knew that this little man would cause me to be in the emergency room multiple times throughout his life but never thought it would start at 3 years old!
The last bit of great news we have is, yesterday was the beginning of Jeremy's retirement! No matter the struggles we have endured to get here, who can honestly say........ "Hi, I'm 35 years old and retired"! Jeremy can. Congrats babe and I love you
I came across this quote the other day and have thought a lot of how the words compare to our family. With our struggles within this past year I feel as if a lot has happened that could tear one's marriage apart. Not only have the physical injuries been stressful for our family but the mental injuries and the emotional injuries. I believe that we have definitely come along way as individuals, as a couple, and as a family.
Since July, some accomplishments and goals have been met (Thanks to the public).
As I stated back in July, I entered Jeremy into a True American Hero Contest that was sponsored by Dickies and The Exchange. The second part of the contest was based off of public voting that ended August 6th. I am just so proud and honored to share that he killed it. SSG Jeremy Breece is the winner of the True American Hero Contest for 2012. A ceremony is being held on 17 September at Fort Sam Houston, Jeremy will be presented with a $25,000 check from the Fort Sam Houston Base Commander, the COO of AAFES, and Dickies Representative. Prior to the ceremony, a limo is being provided to pick Jeremy, Seth, and I up from the house to the ceremony and back home! I just think that this all so far is way cool for Jeremy and definitely deserves every bit of it. On the 18th, a photo shoot is taking place of MY wonderful HERO. We are so thankful for everything that has come his way, you don't always see a lot of social media regarding the positives of our soldiers and the sacrifices that the soldiers make on a daily basis. So, we thank you all!
A few items purchased thus far;
Another accomplishment our family has endured has been Mr. Seth starting pre-school. With all of the craziness going on in our household, the fact that Seth was growing and becoming more aware was beyond my belief of understanding. I sometimes look at the photos of when Seth was born and it amazes me how fast life changes. Although, he has gotten in trouble twice now for not listening and for knocking the play house over he has adapted very positively. I love to pick him up and see what he did that day. I love to hear what he did and what he had for snack. Even though I hear the same things everyday, "I played on the slide" "I ate pop tarts" I still adore him.
I would like to think that when a toddler hurts themselves its by accident and not on purpose. We are talking about Seth though, so when I see a 100% boy hurt themselves then its because it was a mission, a goal, and see how bad we can freak mommy out. He knows very well not to jump on furniture and not to jump off of furniture but that is all that he knows, until....... Seth has decided he is going to save the world by jumping off of the couch, landing on his back with his arm twisted underneath. I always knew that this little man would cause me to be in the emergency room multiple times throughout his life but never thought it would start at 3 years old!
The last bit of great news we have is, yesterday was the beginning of Jeremy's retirement! No matter the struggles we have endured to get here, who can honestly say........ "Hi, I'm 35 years old and retired"! Jeremy can. Congrats babe and I love you
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Dickies... True American Hero Contest
A few weeks ago I nominated my husband SSG Jeremy Breece for the True American Hero contest provided by Dickies. Only 5 finalists have been chosen and Jeremy is one of them. The second half of the contest is public voting! Below is the link to vote, you can only vote once per day. Please take a minute to vote for my wonderful husband?
http://www.facebook.com/dickies/app_340624952641291
Here is what I submitted on behalf of my husband, SSG Jeremy Breece. No matter what, he is my True American Hero!
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Roxann Breece and I would like to nominate my husband SSG Jeremy Breece.
Please let me start from the beginning to better explain why SSG Breece is a True American Hero. In 2008, my husband and I thought it would be best that I separate from the Air Force because of two reasons. One being I was pregnant and two, my husband had orders to Germany for 3 years with the U.S. Army. I told my husband that since I was no longer going to retire with the Air Force, that he had to retire and accomplish goals that he had set for himself years before. With this agreement we moved to Germany.
During the summer of 2009, SSG Breece received the Expert Infantry Badge (EIB). To be awarded the EIB, the soldier must complete a number of prerequisites and pass a battery of graded tests on basic infantry skills; usually the testing phase is the culmination of weeks of training. The EIB test is administered on average once per year with pass rates usually near 10 percent. At this time, SSG Breece had many soldiers and higher ranking soldiers that looked to him and/or looked up to him. Everybody in the company knew that he make it even in the cold and rain, as it was that day.
Right after receiving his EIB, SSG Breece had an opportunity to complete a dream of his and that was becoming a Sniper. Prior to going to Sniper school, I remember my husband seeing signs around the post and always commenting on how he will one day be there. At age 32, SSG Breece went to Sniper school with other friends and soldiers that were almost 10 years younger than him. The school trains soldiers in marksmanship, sniper equipment and tactics, collection of battlefield intelligence, stalking and other sniper-related skills. The primary mission of the sniper is to deliver long range, precision fire. Their secondary mission is the collecting and reporting of battlefield information. Soldiers are taught how to blend in with the surrounding environment by wearing a ghillie suit. They must go through a course where they come within 300 meters of spotters in a small tower and take a shot at a target without being noticed. In July of 2009 SSG Breece was one of the few that made it through and graduated.
June of 2010, it was time for deployment. Although it was very hard for all of us to see him leave for a year, we supported him 100%. Two weeks before SSG Breece was due to come home from Afghanistan, I received a phone call that changed our lives. As I said “Hello” a LTC was on the other line informing me that my husband was in the hospital due to an injury. SSG Breece then got on the phone to tell me that he had stepped on an IED pressure plate and had lost both legs. At that moment, I broke out in tears and hoped that I was dreaming. While my husband was laying in the hospital in Afghanistan, his exact words to me were, “Baby, its okay. I’m still alive, it’s okay.” I felt so selfish to be so worried and sad rather than being thankful that he was still alive and here he is in pain and trying to calm me down. I have heard nothing but praise about SSG Breece when he was in the hospital that day. He hardly stopped to think about him and his pain; he was too worried about the soldier that was with him, worried about his kids, and worried about his family to think about anything else. I promise- an article was written by a reporter that just happened to be in the hospital that same day. The link is below:
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/04/at-frontline-hospital-afghan-wars-toll-is-deeply-felt/237787/
Since the injury in April, SSG Breece has had the opportunity to try new things to help boost his morale. In August, SSG Breece received his Scuba diving license and went scuba diving in Florida. In September, SSG Breece went to California and learned how to surf. In December, SSG Breece and I enjoyed time away in Colorado where he learned how to Mono-Ski. SSG Breece is walking again! It has definitely taken a long bumpy road to get where we are today but without his motivation and strong will he is doing anything and everything that he was able to do before. With accomplishing so much, he has shown his kids (10 and 3) that anything can be done when you set your mind to it. Our 10 year old had a tough time adapting to the injury but now he sees that everything is okay and wants to be like his dad when he grows up.
SSG Breece has become a role model for his friends/brothers that he was deployed with. Someone in his deployed company once said, “If it had to be anyone, then let it be Breece. I know he will pull through it like it is nothing and with no problems.”
That is exactly what has happened and this is why I believe he is a True American Hero.
Thank you for your time,
Roxann Breece
http://www.facebook.com/dickies/app_340624952641291
Here is what I submitted on behalf of my husband, SSG Jeremy Breece. No matter what, he is my True American Hero!
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Roxann Breece and I would like to nominate my husband SSG Jeremy Breece.
Please let me start from the beginning to better explain why SSG Breece is a True American Hero. In 2008, my husband and I thought it would be best that I separate from the Air Force because of two reasons. One being I was pregnant and two, my husband had orders to Germany for 3 years with the U.S. Army. I told my husband that since I was no longer going to retire with the Air Force, that he had to retire and accomplish goals that he had set for himself years before. With this agreement we moved to Germany.
During the summer of 2009, SSG Breece received the Expert Infantry Badge (EIB). To be awarded the EIB, the soldier must complete a number of prerequisites and pass a battery of graded tests on basic infantry skills; usually the testing phase is the culmination of weeks of training. The EIB test is administered on average once per year with pass rates usually near 10 percent. At this time, SSG Breece had many soldiers and higher ranking soldiers that looked to him and/or looked up to him. Everybody in the company knew that he make it even in the cold and rain, as it was that day.
Right after receiving his EIB, SSG Breece had an opportunity to complete a dream of his and that was becoming a Sniper. Prior to going to Sniper school, I remember my husband seeing signs around the post and always commenting on how he will one day be there. At age 32, SSG Breece went to Sniper school with other friends and soldiers that were almost 10 years younger than him. The school trains soldiers in marksmanship, sniper equipment and tactics, collection of battlefield intelligence, stalking and other sniper-related skills. The primary mission of the sniper is to deliver long range, precision fire. Their secondary mission is the collecting and reporting of battlefield information. Soldiers are taught how to blend in with the surrounding environment by wearing a ghillie suit. They must go through a course where they come within 300 meters of spotters in a small tower and take a shot at a target without being noticed. In July of 2009 SSG Breece was one of the few that made it through and graduated.
June of 2010, it was time for deployment. Although it was very hard for all of us to see him leave for a year, we supported him 100%. Two weeks before SSG Breece was due to come home from Afghanistan, I received a phone call that changed our lives. As I said “Hello” a LTC was on the other line informing me that my husband was in the hospital due to an injury. SSG Breece then got on the phone to tell me that he had stepped on an IED pressure plate and had lost both legs. At that moment, I broke out in tears and hoped that I was dreaming. While my husband was laying in the hospital in Afghanistan, his exact words to me were, “Baby, its okay. I’m still alive, it’s okay.” I felt so selfish to be so worried and sad rather than being thankful that he was still alive and here he is in pain and trying to calm me down. I have heard nothing but praise about SSG Breece when he was in the hospital that day. He hardly stopped to think about him and his pain; he was too worried about the soldier that was with him, worried about his kids, and worried about his family to think about anything else. I promise- an article was written by a reporter that just happened to be in the hospital that same day. The link is below:
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/04/at-frontline-hospital-afghan-wars-toll-is-deeply-felt/237787/
Since the injury in April, SSG Breece has had the opportunity to try new things to help boost his morale. In August, SSG Breece received his Scuba diving license and went scuba diving in Florida. In September, SSG Breece went to California and learned how to surf. In December, SSG Breece and I enjoyed time away in Colorado where he learned how to Mono-Ski. SSG Breece is walking again! It has definitely taken a long bumpy road to get where we are today but without his motivation and strong will he is doing anything and everything that he was able to do before. With accomplishing so much, he has shown his kids (10 and 3) that anything can be done when you set your mind to it. Our 10 year old had a tough time adapting to the injury but now he sees that everything is okay and wants to be like his dad when he grows up.
SSG Breece has become a role model for his friends/brothers that he was deployed with. Someone in his deployed company once said, “If it had to be anyone, then let it be Breece. I know he will pull through it like it is nothing and with no problems.”
That is exactly what has happened and this is why I believe he is a True American Hero.
Thank you for your time,
Roxann Breece
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)