SAN ANTONIO – Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian Birdwell, a survivor of the September 11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon, and First Command Financial Services, Inc., are joining forces to support wounded soldiers and their families at Fort Sam Houston.
On Nov. 17, Brian will help First Command executives present a $29,218 donation to support the Warrior and Family Support Center. The media and public are invited to attend the ceremony, which will begin at 1 p.m. at the Warrior and Family Support Center. The check presentation will be immediately followed by a brief talk by Brian.
“The First Command family is proud to earmark this gift for the Warrior and Family Support Center’s Therapeutic Garden and Recreation Area,” said Mike Wheeler, executive vice president and national director of advisor operations. “This resource will be an ideal place for social and emotional healing outside of the sterile medical environment in which many wounded soldiers spend much of their time.”
Brian understands the unique challenges facing soldiers injured in the line of duty. After hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 collided into the Pentagon, he was thrown to the ground and engulfed in flames. Of the burns that consumed 60 percent of his body, nearly half were third degree. While Brian was fighting for his life and undergoing more than 30 surgeries, intensive skin grafts and unbearably painful burn treatments, his wife Mel was fighting to maintain the couple's faith and their family.
Together Brian and Mel founded Face the Fire Ministries, Inc., which assists burn survivors and wounded servicemen and women and their families. In 2004 the Birdwells' inspiring story was told in the book Refined by Fire (Tyndale House Publishers, 2004). Today Brian continues sharing their story as a public speaker for First Command, which hosts his appearances at events throughout the country.
Media instructions
Members of the news media will be escorted to the ceremony from Binz-Engelman/George Beach gate at 12:45 p.m. Media contacts for the presentation ceremony are Phil Redinger at (210) 336-0449 and Esther Garcia at (210) 380-7046. For more information about First Command or Brian Birdwell, contact Mark Leach at (817) 569-2419.
About First Command
First Command Financial Services and its subsidiaries, including First Command Bank and First Command Financial Planning, assist American families in their efforts to build wealth, reduce debt and pursue their lifetime financial goals and dreams—focusing on consumer behavior as the first and most powerful determinant of results. Through personalized financial plans that emphasize accumulating wealth while reducing risk, First Command Financial Advisors have established lasting relationships with hundreds of thousands of client families since 1958.
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First Command Financial Services, Inc. is the parent company of First Command Financial Planning, Inc. (Member SIPC, FINRA) and First Command Bank (Member FDIC). Financial planning services and investment products, including securities products are offered by First Command Financial Planning, Inc. Insurance products and services are offered by First Command Financial Services, Inc. Banking products and services are offered by First Command Bank. Securities products are not FDIC insured, have no bank guarantee and may lose value. In certain states, First Command Financial Services, Inc. is a separately registered domestic corporation and does business in California as “First Command Insurance Services.” A financial plan, by itself, cannot assure that retirement or other financial goals will be met.
On Nov. 17, Brian will help First Command executives present a $29,218 donation to support the Warrior and Family Support Center. The media and public are invited to attend the ceremony, which will begin at 1 p.m. at the Warrior and Family Support Center. The check presentation will be immediately followed by a brief talk by Brian.
“The First Command family is proud to earmark this gift for the Warrior and Family Support Center’s Therapeutic Garden and Recreation Area,” said Mike Wheeler, executive vice president and national director of advisor operations. “This resource will be an ideal place for social and emotional healing outside of the sterile medical environment in which many wounded soldiers spend much of their time.”
Brian understands the unique challenges facing soldiers injured in the line of duty. After hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 collided into the Pentagon, he was thrown to the ground and engulfed in flames. Of the burns that consumed 60 percent of his body, nearly half were third degree. While Brian was fighting for his life and undergoing more than 30 surgeries, intensive skin grafts and unbearably painful burn treatments, his wife Mel was fighting to maintain the couple's faith and their family.
Together Brian and Mel founded Face the Fire Ministries, Inc., which assists burn survivors and wounded servicemen and women and their families. In 2004 the Birdwells' inspiring story was told in the book Refined by Fire (Tyndale House Publishers, 2004). Today Brian continues sharing their story as a public speaker for First Command, which hosts his appearances at events throughout the country.
Media instructions
Members of the news media will be escorted to the ceremony from Binz-Engelman/George Beach gate at 12:45 p.m. Media contacts for the presentation ceremony are Phil Redinger at (210) 336-0449 and Esther Garcia at (210) 380-7046. For more information about First Command or Brian Birdwell, contact Mark Leach at (817) 569-2419.
About First Command
First Command Financial Services and its subsidiaries, including First Command Bank and First Command Financial Planning, assist American families in their efforts to build wealth, reduce debt and pursue their lifetime financial goals and dreams—focusing on consumer behavior as the first and most powerful determinant of results. Through personalized financial plans that emphasize accumulating wealth while reducing risk, First Command Financial Advisors have established lasting relationships with hundreds of thousands of client families since 1958.
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First Command Financial Services, Inc. is the parent company of First Command Financial Planning, Inc. (Member SIPC, FINRA) and First Command Bank (Member FDIC). Financial planning services and investment products, including securities products are offered by First Command Financial Planning, Inc. Insurance products and services are offered by First Command Financial Services, Inc. Banking products and services are offered by First Command Bank. Securities products are not FDIC insured, have no bank guarantee and may lose value. In certain states, First Command Financial Services, Inc. is a separately registered domestic corporation and does business in California as “First Command Insurance Services.” A financial plan, by itself, cannot assure that retirement or other financial goals will be met.