Dava Guerin - Unbreakable Bonds: The Mighty Moms and Wounded Warriors of Walter Reed

Advance Praise for Unbreakable Bonds

We have a sacred responsibility to our military familiesthe Americans who dont don the uniform, but bear the burden of war and its aftermath alongside those that do. Many of us may never know the extent of their sacrifices, but this portrait welcomes readers into the lives of caregivershidden heroes like Paulette Masonat Walter Reed. Even as we can never fully repay our military families for their service here at home, the ten mothers featured in this moving book give us yet another gifttheir stories, courage, and enduring love. Readers of this timely portrait cannot help but feel immensely grateful and inspired.

Nancy Pelosi

Movingly relates the untold story of selfless devotion, duty, and strength demonstrated by military family caregivers that is so instrumental to the recovery and rehabilitation of our nations wounded warriors. This is a must-read for Americans in every corner of the country to truly understand the challenges of postwar recovery on the home front.

Senator Elizabeth Dole

The mothers of the wounded have played an important role in their recovery since man invented warstories that have gone untold. Guerin and Ferris capture the sadness and joy, compassion, persistence, fierce advocacy, and courage in ten inspiring storiesstories of love.

David S. Ferriero, Archivist of the United States

When a service member is wounded, the whole family is wounded and must be a part of the recovery. Unbreakable Bonds will inspire you with the never-ending commitment, strength, and love between these amazing moms and their kids.

Jim Knotts, CEO of Operation Homefront

Chronicles an amazing fusion of moral courage and limitless love. It tells the story of motherhood, tested and unbroken, and in doing so, it radiates wisdom, tenacity, compassion, and resolve on every page. Spartas Leonidas was right. A mothers strength is the warriors ultimate inspiration.

Colonel Paul McHale (US Marine Corps, Ret.), former congressman and former assistant secretary of defense

These mothers are heroes in their own right. They have given so much and we must never forget.

Gary Sinise, award-winning actor and philanthropist, founder of the Gary Sinise Foundation, and a champion of service members, veterans, and their families

The Mighty Moms and their wounded warriors featured in this remarkable book have sacrificed so much for our freedoms. Unbreakable Bonds is a touching testament to their strength and resolve, and is a must-read for anyone who values the power and perseverance of the human spirit.

Colonel Bob Clement, former congressman (D-TN), US Army (Ret.)

This is a book about courage, about service, and about patriotism. It is a call to arms, because we are in many ways failing a group of heroes that needs our support desperately. And, most importantly, it is an inspiring look at the strength that comes from the unbreakable bond of love and devotion. This is the kind of book that will have you talking, feeling, and thinking for a long time after you turn the last page.

Peter M. Weichlein, CEO of the US Association of Former Members of Congress

This book reminds us that we are all in this fight together. It will bring tears of sorrow, but mostly joy. I hope everyone gets to know these truly amazing moms and their real-life heroes.

Dennis Hertel, former congressman (D-MI), founder and vice president of Global Democracy Initiative, cochair of the FMC annual Wounded Warrior Charity Golf Tournament

These brave men and women are our heroes, and to their families, you are all heroes as well! Without the love and support of the families, the work of the soldier could not be done.

Betty DAgostino Trimble, mother of Grammy Awardwinning country singer Tim McGraw, who in 2013 teamed up with Operation Homefront and Chase Bank to provide mortgage-free homes to wounded warriors

Copyright 2014 by Dava Guerin and Kevin Ferris

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

Skyhorse Publishing books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion, corporate gifts, fund-raising, or educational purposes. Special editions can also be created to specifications. For details, contact the Special Sales Department, Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or .

Skyhorse and Skyhorse Publishing are registered trademarks of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Visit our website at www.skyhorsepublishing.com.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Back cover photo credit Josh Ghering

A portion of the proceeds of the sales of the book will be donated to each mom and her wounded warrior.

Print ISBN: 978-1-62914-698-0

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-63220-166-9

Printed in the United States of America

This book is dedicated to Mighty Moms everywhere, especially Ellene Fleishman, my mom. They paved the way for the ten remarkable women in this book, and their equally inspiring wounded warrior sons and daughter. I was inspired, too, by my fatherthe late Dr. Martin Lewis Fleishman, an Army Air Corps pilot during World War II, and my husband, Terry Bivens, a proud veteran of the US Coast Guard. Stacy Fidler, Mark Fidler, and Kelly Fidler were the genesis for writing this book, and Gary Sinise showed by example that one individual can truly make a difference. Finally, President George H. W. Bush and Barbara Bush are national treasures, and champions of what is most important in lifeservice, patriotism, family, faith, and friendship.

Dava Guerin

For all the Blue Star, Silver Star, and Gold Star Moms, and for Frances Mary Strong Ferris.

Kevin Ferris

A CKNOWLEDGMENTS

T HIS BOOK WAS A JOY AND HONOR TO WRITE FOR SO MANY REASONS . It has been an honor to get to know these ten truly courageous and inspirational Mighty Moms and their wounded warrior sons and daughter. They have shared their lives with uswarts and all. We have cried together, laughed together, and spent countless hours talking about their experiences as caregivers of some of the most catastrophically injured soldiers and Marines. Without them, this book would never have taken shape, nor serve as a record of their struggles and triumphs.

It all began with Chelle McIntyre-Brewer, who has a nonprofit organization that helps wounded warriors called Socks for Vets. She suggested a visit with Corporal Mark Fidler, three months after he was injured in Afghanistan. One visit with Mark on Valentines Day 2011 at Walter Reed in Bethesda, Maryland, was all it took. He was the inspiration for this book, and he continues to inspire everyone he touches with his humor and defiance. It comes as no surprise that his mother, Stacy, shares that same strong will and keen intelligence. Through the love and devotion to her son, and her advocacy on behalf of all of the Mighty Moms, she served as the genesis for the book and its theme. We thank Stacy for the inspiration. Her daughter, Kelly, was an invaluable resource. She contributed her editing skills to the project, and helped us understand what it means to be a family member of a wounded warrior. Marks father, Kermit, has supported us, as well as his sister, Amanda, who is a joy to know. We want to thank Marks brother, Dan, a chief warrant officer in the Marine Corps, and his wife, Brittney, for their service and sacrifice, too.