Brock’s Story Class #4, Cycle 2-94

Once in a life time something happens that totally changes the course of one’s life, and that is how it was with my son. We adopted him when he was only 6 years old. The first years of his life were very devastating to him, as one counselor said “we are working with damaged goods and therefore we do not see much of a future for him.” The growing up years was very difficult for us as well as for him, as he could not seem to let go of his anger. When he was in high school, things became intolerable, and his home life was almost as bad. We, as parents, were at our wits end. Then I saw an article on TV about Thunderbird Youth Academy and how it had helped so many young men and women reclaim their lives.

I sent a very troubled young man to you and I got a very respectful son back. He completed his schooling while he was there, learned to respect authority, built up his self-esteem, and mapped out a plan for his future.

Brock joined the Army National Guard upon coming home from Thunderbird and after a year and a half with them he got a special disposition to leave the Guard and enlist in active duty Army. During his first deployment (to Korea) he was diagnosed with melanoma cancer in his foot, after four surgeries and the loss of a portion of his foot, he was returned to Korea to complete his tour. Upon returning state side, he was stationed at Ft. Hood, TX for a couple of years and then was deployed to Iraq. He contracted the Leishmaniasis (sand fly bite)  disease for which he was sent to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C. and successfully treated. He was home for a year and then was deployed again to Iraq; it was during this deployment that he received the injuries for which he was awarded the Purple Heart. In July 2006, the Bradley tank he commanded ran over a road side bomb, although SSG Ramsey received injuries to his head and back he was treated and returned to duty. A couple of months later the 2nd Bradley tank he was commanding hit another bomb and although he was not seriously injured, 3 of his men were killed. This was a devastating experience for him. As he says, “it’s like loosing your own kids.” His tour ended and he came home and will be continuing his army career in Ft. Knox, KY.

You would think that after all he has been through; he would be ready to hang it up and return to civilian life. But no, he takes his responsibility to his country very seriously and as he says, “no one forced me to raise my hand to defend my country, I am proud to do it.” He is now a Staff Sergeant and he lives by the “no quit attitude” you (TYA) instilled in him so long ago. The Army is his career, and as he says, “there is nothing I would rather do.” Thank you for all you did for him and us.

Sincerely,

~Claud & June Brock, Eufaula
May 8, 2007