Thankful

During this holiday season, I am reminded of how very thankful I am for my family and friends, and my extended family in the Sentinels we serve. 

Franchon Powell, one of our Sentinels, has much to be thankful for. After struggling to complete high school, she joined the army and trained to become a combat medic.

During Franchon’s initial deployment to Iraq her convoy was attacked. While tending to an injured solider, she was hit by a blast from a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) that violently threw her to the ground. The impact separated and broke her pelvis and left her with a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The chronic pain is a constant reminder of the events ofthat fateful day.

Franchon, however, would not give up. She would refocus her goals and begin the educational journey she dreamed of. She knew it would not be easy. “The day SOF came into my life was a day that will always be in my heart.  I was a single mother of five doing the best I could with what I had.”

Franchon completed her associate’s degree from Florida State College in occupational therapy. She is now at Columbia College working towards her bachelor’s degree in human services to pursue a career working with at risk youth; helping them to succeed in the mist of deficits and learning disabilities that are too often used as reasons to give up.

“The roads and journeys that I have taken would not have been possible without the Sentinels of Freedom program. I am not just a disabled veteran, someone who was too injured to finish out my term in the Army, I am now a strong woman with purpose and I owe it to the SOF program and to the donors who so graciously believe in me.”

Thank you for your support of wounded veterans like Franchon.  We wish you and all your loved ones a wonderful holiday season!