1st Cavalry Division
I met Bradley in front of the CENTER FOR THE INTREPID as we were unloading the van after our first trip from a huge South Texas ranch. As an avid hunter he could not contain his excitement as he watched us unload coolers full of venison and caped out heads in the 150-BC class. He asked me how he might get to go on a hunt most people could only dream about. I could see he met all the criteria as far as being wounded and told him he was welcome to go on the next trip to another ranch owned by the same man in two weeks. The look of disappointment was evident as he told me he had another surgery to endure a few days before the trip. No problem I told him, we can get you back to the one we just came off of in a month.....Done Deal!!!
Brad saw bucks only a few deer hunters in the United States ever get to see in the wild.....I’m talking...Wild deer that are not in a cage....... He had the hunt of a lifetime.
Bradley was the lone survivor in a humvee that was hit by a very large I.E.D.
The blast and ensuing fire killed three 1st CAV troops and injured Bradley so severely it would be easier for me to tell you what was not wrong with him than to list the things that are wrong with him.
These pictures are not meant to shock you but to illustrate how the heroes we serve never give up hope.
Men like Bradley adapt and overcome their disabilities. In the mission statement of HUNTS FOR HEROES we state ‘YOUR CAPABILITIES CAN OVERCOME YOUR DISABILITIES”. Men like Bradley are capable of doing anything they once did in life, with some extra help and planning. They are the best and brightest our country has to offer. The next time a politician says something stupid like” the only option these men have is the Army”...BI+CH SLAP them for me, because it’s a lie.
Men like Bradley not only take the “lemons” life deals them and make lemonade; they add tequila, lime and a little mix to make a margarita. Men like Bradley should be an inspiration to us all.
SSG Gruetzner, Bradley
1st Cavalry Division
Brad is still at BROOKE Army Medical Center recovering from his wounds. Bradley is from East Texas and loves anything that involves being in the outdoors. Will you please take the time to say THANK YOU to him.
Email address: gruetzner_4x4@yahoo.com
www.huntsforheroes.com