A COMBAT INJURED AIR FORCE "COP"
11 September 2004 started out as a normal day for Senior Airman Brian G. Kolfage Jr. Of course normal is relative when you live and work in a third world country, in the middle of a combat zone. Brian is an Air Force Security Forces member, whose home base is Goodfellow Air Force Base, San Angelo, Texas. But, what that really means is he is an Air Force "cop."
The Air Force does not have any infantry, so in time of conflict their "cops" perform that ground combat mission. That was what Brian was doing at Balad Air Base, Iraq up until the time a mortar round exploded almost on top of him, as he was walking to his tent. Brian's life changed forever that moment. His wounds were so severe that by-rights he probably should not have survived.
There just happened to be an Air Force medical trauma team on base that day and they were in the tent-city when the mortar round went off. The trauma team members were some of the first people to get to Brian. He was stabilized and kept alive by this excellent medical team. Brian is now recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center; in Washington D.C. Brian is now a triple amputee. He lost both of his legs at the hip and his right arm at the elbow. He is left-handed so he continues to function well with his uninjured, dominant hand. But as I said his life has changed forever.
I am assuming that at some point Brian will be medically retired from the Air Force. He will receive lifetime benefits from the military and the Veterans Administration. There are however always expenses that occur during a time of trauma and high stress and Brian's case is no different. A fund was established for Brian at the Eisenhower Bank on Goodfellow Air Force Base.
A number of individuals and veteran related organizations to include the Air Force Security Police Association have started the ball rolling in the collecting of money for Brian. I am a member of the Security Police Association and have also come up with a way to raise money for Brian.
While stationed in Alaska with the Air Force, I wrote a story for children titled "Arnie the Aladdin Lamp goes to Alaska." It is the story about an Aladdin kerosene lamp named "Arnie", his owner, and their great adventures in Canada and Alaska. The story takes place in 1942, during the building of the Alaska Highway and Elmendorf Army Airfield in Anchorage Alaska.
Children enjoy the story and love "Arnie." What they do not realize is they are getting a history lesson while reading the story. Staff Sergeant Richard Gipple, who is an active duty Air Force, Security Forces member, illustrated "Arnie."
The book is on sale and all profits generated will be sent to the fund established for Brian. The local Albuquerque chapter of the Air Force Security Police Association has purchased a number of copies of "Arine" and instructed me to donate the copies to schools. Books have been provided to grade schools, to include Brian's own grade school in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.
The illustrations are in black and white. His grade school Kinloch Elementary is making copies of the first page, having the children color "Arnie" and then sending them along with get well wishes to Brian at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Money is not going to change the fate that Brian has been dealt, but it can go a long way to help meet some immediate needs. With Christmas coming "Arine" would make a wonderful gift for young children. I received an order from a woman whose grandfather had help build the Alaskan Highway during World War II. She wanted copies to send to family members this holiday season in celebration of her grandfather's hard work helping this country during time of war.
Helping this country during time of war is exactly what Brian was doing when he was so severely wounded. We as a nation cannot do enough for this young veteran. When you listen to speeches on Veterans or Memorial Day they always talk about "and some gave their all." This is a euphemism for dying in combat in the service of one's country. I think Brian "gave just-about his all." But we are lucky; Brian is still with us and getting stronger every day.
If you would like to order a copy of "Arnie" in support of Senior Airman Brian G. Kolfage, Jr. please contact me at the below e-mail address.