My Nonprofit Reviews

I do not know what I would have done without VAC! My son, a United States Marine Sgt., is the worst TBI to have survived and miraculously made unexplainable improvements. He was not supposed to survive let alone walk, talk and have memory. The injury was 7/5/05. It was shrapnel the size of a credit card that entered on the right temple, crossed the midline (medically instant death) taking out the whole frontal lobe and lodging on the left, there are fragments throughout the brain too small to go after. For 18 yrs we have had to go back to Walter Reed for numerous surgeries, infections, etc. With all the medical supplies and medications plus his size, (Josh is 6 6 1/2 to my 5'5) commercial flights are impossible. Plus he has been pretty ill or weak on some of the trips up for surgery. Josh is a joy, savors everyday, no regrets. The dignity and appreciation that these pilots have shown him cannot even be fully described. They take time out of their lives to help out fellow vets and this last trip up and back, they made sure we had rides before leaving us. Some of the pilots own the planes, others work for companies that care about our veterans. This is getting rare these days but not with VAC! You have no idea how much you have helped a mom do all these trips and that you are part of Josh's survival. And Jenna, you are amazing with your quick responses setting this all up. God Bless every one at VAC and those volunteers! Christine Cooley

Nearly 13 yrs of life saving surgeries needed for my son, the worst TBI to have survived and improved. To travel with supplies, the need for comfort, short waits and quick flights is a challenge and impossible on commercial airlines. Helping someone with such an injury is complicated. The only place that can do surgery on this injury is Walter Reed NMMC and often we have to get there in emergency mode. The response and generosity of these pilots and the coordinators has made the back and forth travel seamless for us and taken a lot of stress and worry out of a very stressful situation. I am forever in debt to Veteran's Airlift Command. I don't know what our wounded would do without them. Christine Cooley proud mom of Sgt. Joshua Cooley USMC

My son was injured in 2005 and I was flown to Germany because he was not supposed to make the flight home. It was an IED and shrapnel the size of a credit card that tore from one side of his brain to the other through the mid line. No one has survived passing through the midline esp since there was blood in it. It also destroyed the whole frontal lobe of the brain, he was burned, had a broken arm. Even the surgeons at NNMC, now Walter Reed, said he would not survive. But he fought to live frequently coming out of the medically induced coma too soon. Again I was told would have no function or even know me. Numerous surgeries, touch and go, infections, collapsed lung, swelling, on and on. When the body started to stabilize months later he opened his eyes once again, looked at me and smiled with definite recognition, The doctors were stunned. We have flown back and forth for surgeries with the military until he was medically retired 2 yrs after the injury, The VA could not handle his injury and still cannot. So whenever I need to get to Walter Reed VAC has been there for me. Commercial flights are impossible for him, the stress of waiting, the 6 6 1/2 size of him, the amount of medication we have to travel with and what we need to take with us would cost more than a flight. The expense alone is just too much, We need to get to Walter Reed fast at times and we will always have to go at least once a year. VAC has been there for us ever since my son has retired. I put in a request and the flight response happens so quickly it is amazing. My son is a miracle that cannot be explained, walking, talking , memory, huge sense of humor, living a quality life even if he cannot live alone. Every owner/crew we have flown with has kept in touch with us. This last trip they texted to follow his surgery, they all love updates through out the year. They are like our flying family. I am ever grateful for the generosity of these wonderful people, It takes so much stress off of me and especially my son when we need to fly. VAC gets it, from the first contact to getting back home, and they are my heroes. Thank you VAC.

My son is a severely injured Marine Sgt. After repeated poor performance by the local VA dealing with an infection it was necessary for him to be flown to Bethesda and seen by his military surgeon. Flying is a challenge with a traumatic brain injury especially with crowds. To be flown by a private pilot was such a tremendous help. It was convenient, stress free and took so much worry off the trip itself that i could focus on my son completely. The pilot and his wife treated us both with as much if not more gratitude for my son's service to our country, as we felt for the flight to Maryland. Our coordinator, Maria, went out of her way to get us the most convenient date and time for the flight as well. I cannot express how important this organization is to us. For me to be able to get to the best medical care possible for my son at no expense is a huge relief and gives me a sense of peace that I can always get him to the best without taking on financial worries as well.

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