Feb. 26, 2021
Wounded Warriors Family Support presented Brandon Long of St. Augustine, Florida, with a 2021 F150 XLT Ford mobility-equipped vehicle. Brandon was medically retired from the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served active duty from 2009-12. He was deployed to Afghanistan prior to a medical retirement.
Brandon was severely injured on December 21st of 2010, when he stepped on a 40-pound Improvised Explosive Device (IED), as he was conducting a foot patrol in preparations of moving their unit up North. He sustained traumatic bilateral amputation of his legs, lost the tip of his pinky on the left hand, a rock went in and up his leg into his chest and caused major damage to his intestines resulting in removal of 15 feet of his lower intestines, Traumatic Brain Damage (TBI), and hearing loss. Brandon was revived 8 times prior to his arrival to the United States and his family was told chances of his survival were extremely slim.
Ironically, Brandon’s wife gave birth to their daughter, Claire, just 2 days after his accident so he was able to relearn skills while his daughter was learning them. Brandon was medically retired from the Marine Corp in September 2012. Brandon is very actively involved in his daughter’s day-to-day activities in Taekwondo and Ballet. He enjoys taking her on adventures to teach her life skills and prepare her adulthood.
Wounded Warriors Family Support is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured, or killed during combat operations. This organization is run by combat veterans for combat veterans. Rated a four-star nonprofit by Charity Navigator, Wounded Warriors Family Support aids veterans and their families in healing the wounds that medicine cannot.