HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Organizations have honored a Redstone Arsenal wounded warrior with an adaptive home.
Staff Sgt. Michael Brown, 902nd Military Intelligence Group Region 1 security manager, received a new home during the Lee Greenwood’s All-Star Tribute Concert, Oct. 12 at the Von Braun Center.
Brown said he was enjoying the concert when a man came to his seat and invited him and his family to watch the show from backstage.
“My daughter, wife, and I were surprised but had a feeling something special was about to happen,” Brown said. “A few minutes after arriving backstage the show stopped, and during an onstage presentation, Helping A Hero began telling my story. Overwhelmed with emotion, my family was brought on stage and awarded a symbolic key for this soon-to-be-built adaptive house.
“Surprised doesn’t begin to describe how I felt about the events that took place that night," he added. "Of all the people that deserve an opportunity and blessing such as this, I never believed I measured up. It’s humbling for others to see me in such light.”
Brown’s military police unit was deployed to Mosul, Iraq, in 2007 where they trained the local Iraqi police. He was hit by a grenade and ultimately lost his leg.
“I joined the Army to serve my country, and that’s all I ever wanted,” Brown said. “For the country to say thank you so loudly is humbling, to say the least. Losing a leg was never part of my plan, but it has shown me a countrywide depth of compassion I didn’t know existed. Our wounded population has given and sacrificed so much and its incredible organizations such as Helping A Hero support us so completely.
“My family is beyond grateful," he added. "They’ve given my family such an amazing gift that I’m not sure thank you begins to cover. They will always have a spot at our table.”
Greenwood partnered with the Helping a Hero program to provide an adapted home to Brown. Helping A Hero has built adapted homes for severely wounded warriors and has awarded more than 100 homes in 23 states.
Greenwood, a country music artist known for songs “God Bless the USA,” “IOU,” “It Turns Me Inside Out” and more, said he chose Huntsville because of the military community and NASA.
“Tonight is not only about the music, but it is also a night to honor our military and veterans who have sacrificed so much for our nation,” Greenwood said during the concert.
Brown said that anytime someone demonstrates the level of patriotism Greenwood has for 40 years, he wants to be there to shake their hand.
“I truly enjoyed all the artists getting together to honor Lee Greenwood in such a spectacular way,” Brown said. “In today’s world of division and chaos, it’s refreshing to see someone standing so tall and proud supporting our armed forces.”
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