GPJC and NS Rotary Team Up to Help a Hero
We need your help! Your support, money and assistance are needed to help build another home for a wounded hero. This is a special project for our area because the recipient of a new home is retired Sargeant Andrew Beesley, a native of the North Shore area.
Sgt. Beesley grew up in Houston graduating from North Shore High School in 2005 where he earned the Boy Scout rank of Eagle Scout. Beesley joined the Army because he felt that he was called to do his duty to God and his country. He has a long military family history and his immediate family is considered a "Five Star Family": Father, Colonel James Beesley and mother, Command Sergeant Major Maryeva Beesley, both serve in the Army Reserve. His brothers, Specialist Robert Nevius and Sergeant Michael Beesley are active duty in the Army and both served in OEF/OIF.
Sergeant Beesley deployed with 4/1 Cav Alpha Company 2/7th Cavalry in October 2006 to Iraq. His Platoon Sergeant, Sergeant First Class Russell Borea, died in an IED explosion on January 19, 2007. His platoon tended to a Mass Casualty Cleanup for Charlie Company 217th Cav on January 15, 2007 where 1st Lieutenant Mark Daily, Specialist Matt Grimm, Sergeant Ian Anderson, and Staff Sergeant John Cooper were all killed in an IED explosion intended for a Stryker, but instead hit their Humvee. These two events are the most significant events contributing to his severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. All of them, excluding Specialist Grimm, were all very near and dear friends.
In July 2007, his convoy was hit by a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED). Sergeant Beesley was the gunner at the time with his upper body exposed. The VBIED lifted his Humvee up and dropped them back down like a rag doll. He ended up bouncing around the turret like a pinball before hitting his head on the .50 caliber machine gun and that knocked him unconscious leading to his Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, or post concussion syndrome. Sergeant Beesley suffers from temporary memory loss and had surgery for brain decompression. He has also been diagnosed with Non-Epileptic Seizure Disorder, Mood Disorder, Severe Post Arnold-Chiari Malformation Type 1, Inerpatellar Tendonitis, and Internal Derangement of the Right Knee. He can no longer carry either of his daughters (Dakota, 2 and Cheyenne, 9 months). He is unable to drive more than five minutes from home because he may forget where he is going.
His wife, Karleen, of three years has been a stalwart in his recovery comforting him through seizures and walking alongside him as he battles the everyday challenges from his injuries. He looks forward to continuing progress with his Cognitive Rehabilitation and hopes to get his Masters in either Music Education or K-12 Education, then put those new skills to use in the school district where he grew up - Galena Park Independent School District. (reprint)
You can make a difference in the life of Sgt. Beesley, who risked everything for our freedom and liberty. All donations will be forwarded directly to the Helping A Hero and 100% of the funds will be used to provide Sgt. Beesley, and his family, with a new home fully adapted to his special needs. This enables him to transition successfully into our community and provide the tools and support he will need to succeed in life. Helping A Hero places these homes in planned communities where they receive ongoing support from neighbors, the Home Owners Association, and their local Rotary Club(s).
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(Special thanks to David Taylor for this article.)