November, 2005, Gerald “Drew” was in the gunner position providing rear security while conducting a combat patrol. During this patrol they came around a corner and the vehicle Drew was in engulfed in flames from a shaped charge explosion. Drew was medically evacuated from the immediate area with blood coming out of his ears and covering his face. He arrived at one of their temporary hospital tents and had superficial shrapnel removed from his face and returned to the mission. Drew experienced several more blasts, countless high stress situations where he or his brothers weren’t sure they would make it home and some didn’t. Drew has also struggled with a nearly 1 year fight of therapy to try to get reinstated in his unit but unfortunately he wasn’t able to achieve the type of progress required to return to duty. Drew is the first candidate selected to receive a new Mortgage Free home through Operation Finally Home in Wisconsin in the Village of Jackson.
