AFF Stories

While conducting combat operations in Iraq on Sept. 7, 2007, Lt. Mark Little's vehicle was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). It was the third IED attack he experienced in a single month, and the most devastating. The explosion penetrated his vehicle door and took off both of his legs below his knees. It was only his third month in Iraq after serving four years with the National Guard. He was evacuated to Germany before being transported back to the U.S.

Little arrived at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 11, 2007. It was there that he was fitted with prosthetic legs and began the recovery process. Little, like so many other veterans at the hospital, was on the road to his new life.

While recovering, Little and other wounded veterans were treated to a getaway vacation in Las Vegas, offering them an opportunity to enjoy some diversionary fun away from the hospital confines. The trip was provided through the Armed Forces Foundation's (AFF) Morale, Welfare and Recreation Program. The program helps veterans and their families deal with the stresses of military deployment, injury or death by offering welcome-home ceremonies, family outings, concerts and other events.

Little retired from the military in August 2009 with the rank of captain. He was recognized for his service with two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star, among other awards. Now fully recovered, he serves as a government contractor for the Department of Defense and is also a volunteer police officer in the D.C. area.

Additionally, Little is an advocate for veterans, particularly those with disabilities. Included in that advocacy work is the AFF and the many services it provides to military members and their families. Having experienced those services first-hand, and having seen the dedication of the people involved in the organization, Little is committed to promoting, supporting and sustaining the important work the AFF does, to help improve the lives of those affected by combat in so many ways.

Marcia is a single parent of two small children. She has been deployed to Iraq two times for several months at a time. After she returned from Iraq the first time, she and her husband divorced. She now only has one income and being a reservist, has had a hard time finding a job with a steady income to make ends meet. Before finding a steady position with the police department, the Armed Forces Foundation issued a grant to Marcia ($466.00) to pay for her electric bill as well as a $300.00 gift card for groceries. Below is her thank you:

I appreciate all that you have done for us. If there is ever anything I can do to help with the organization please feel free to contact me. You have been a Godsend for us.

Jason has severe PTSD and TB1 with spinal injuries resulting from fighting on the frontlines in Iraq. He medically retired in December 2008 and has been looking for employment since then. With all of his appointments for his PTSD and TB1, he has been struggling to keep a position that will allow him to be away from work to do this. To help, The Armed Forces Foundation granted Jason money for three months of his car payment, three months of his car insurance and his delinquent electric bill that was behind several months ($1,500.00). Below is his thank you:

I thank you and your organization for the assistance. If it wasn't for people and places like the Armed Forces Foundation, I don't know how soldiers in my situation could make it. I would like to keep in touch because when I do finally get on my feet again, I would like to maybe donate back in some way. Again, thank you so much and have a Merry Christmas.

Camielle is a medically retired Sergeant from the Army. She is a single parent of two. She has had to do repairs on her house that are not covered by her insurance which has put her behind on some of her essential bills. She is also waiting for her VA disability and her retirement to kick in. The Armed Forces Foundation helped her with paying her mortgage ($1,200.00) and sent her a $200 gift card for groceries. Below is her thank you:

Thanks so much for the help. You don't know how much I needed it. God bless you, your family and all who make it possible to help those like myself.

Donny is in the process of retiring from the military. He attends Vocational Rehab and is awaiting his retirement check as well as his disability check. He is having trouble finding a job that will allow him to make his medical appointments. He is married with three children. His wife is having difficulty finding employment and they only have one vehicle. The Armed Forces Foundation has helped them with paying their mortgage ($1,500) to keep them from going into foreclosure. Below is their thank you:

I wanted to say thank you for your help with my transition out of the military. It's been really difficult and you and your organization have been a great help.

Thank you very much.
The J Family

Jeremy is in transition from active duty to retiring from the military and is not receiving pay from the Army or from the VA for his disabilities. He is having difficulty finding a job. He has hearing loss, PTSD and severe nerve damage from an IED explosion during his third tour in Iraq. His wife is pregnant with their first child and is also having trouble finding a job. The Armed Forces Foundation has helped them during this transition by paying their car payment as well as car insurance ($1,250.00) for a couple of months. Below is their thank you:

Thank you so much for this help. You are a blessing and words cannot describe how thankful we are. It is people like you and your organization that give these men and women and their families hope that things will be ok during this trying time.

Thank you again and God bless.
Jeremy and Mandy S.