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Returning To Normal
By Vanessa Warner
Manager, Disabled Shooting Services
National Rifle Association
One week after starting as the Manager of Disabled Shooting Services for the National Rifle Association, I was handed a two-inch thick folder of messages that my new coworkers had been saving since my predecessor retired in November. As I began to return phone calls, I found that most people were both surprised and grateful, explaining that they had all but given up on ever hearing back from the NRA. One of those people is a man by the name of John "J.J." O'Shea of North Carolina.
After introductions and jokes about my diving right into work, J.J. began to talk about a program called "M1 for Vets" that he created to provide a way for America's wounded heroes to get back onto the firing range. J.J. asked for nothing; he truly wanted to just tell the NRA about his program and see if someone would like to join them on the range at Quantico on July 19. There was something to this man's enthusiasm that was contagious. His obvious dedication and devotion to both the sport and the young men and women in the military compelled me to be there, and I quickly blocked off the day on my calendar.
Upon arrival, I wandered into the picnic pavilion and introduced myself to the first person I saw who just happened to be the man I was looking for. J.J. O'Shea is a big teddy bear of a man with closely cropped hair and a smile that shines from ear to ear. He shook my hand with the same level of enthusiasm that I'd heard over the phone and I instantly knew that I had a friend. While J.J. was never in the military, he considers himself to be an "active duty civilian," doing what he can to give back to the men and women who have served our country.
I was quickly introduced to so many people that names became confusing. We all agreed that next time (and there will most certainly be a next time) name tags would be a must. I shook hands with a man named Ceamus (pronounced Shamus) McDermott who, as it turns out, is actually U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Ceamus McDermott. Ceamus is a tall slender young man who, at first blush, looks just like anyone else. The difference between him and others is the number of fingers on his right hand. Ceamus lost his pointer finger when his rifle exploded during combat, but can still shoot competitively using his middle finger as his trigger finger. While he is excelling and making great progress with the rifle, he said that relearning pistol is taking longer but is confident that it is only a matter of time and practice before he will be competitive again.
As we sat around chatting and eating the lunch provided by USMC Gunnery Sergeant Daniel Borowiecki and his wife Perri, people continued to drift in. One of those people was a young Marine Corporal by the name of Steve Kiernan. Steve sustained the loss of both legs only nine weeks ago while on duty in Iraq. Although he has already been fitted for his prosthetic legs, he arrived this day in his wheelchair accompanied by his father. I have learned very quickly that these young men do not want a bunch of fanfare made about them, but it was hard to be in the presence of someone so young, who has sacrificed so much, and not trip over myself trying to do any and everything for him that I could.
After we finished lunch, the Army Marksmanship Unit's rifle team (along with a number of the Marine Corps rifle team members) joined us under the pavilion as J.J. stood to make some announcements. After thanking everyone for coming out that day, he opened a rifle case and produced a fully rebuilt M1A, the serial number of which can be traced to being manufactured one week after Pearl Harbor was hit in 1941. In addition to making arrangements for range time, JJ's program includes rebuilding military rifles for our soldiers to have use of and, as often as possible, to be given to them. The rifles and parts are donated by a variety of people and companies who feel the same way about giving back to our soldiers as J.J. does. U.S. Army Medic Staff Sergeant Brian Mancini was presented with this M1A four days shy of the one-year anniversary of being severely wounded in Baghdad.
Nearly one year ago, on July 23, 2007, Brian sustained a direct hit in the head that would have killed most men. As he recounted his story to me, I couldn't help but be amazed by this incredibly resilient 29-year-old young man. After sustaining a hit in the head that blew off most of the right side of his skull, his left cheekbone and most of the teeth in the left side of his mouth, he figured "it was his time to meet his maker."
Being a medic, he had seen what happened to soldiers who sustained hits like his and knew that he probably wouldn't make it. He cleared the teeth out of his mouth, tried his best to open his airway, told his gunner to tell his family and his fiancé that he loved them, and fought for oxygen as he waited to die. Three weeks later (after being brought back to life twice), to the amazement and relief of his family and fiancé, Brian emerged from a coma.
In the past year, he has endured countless surgeries and can talk facial bones and reconstruction like a seasoned surgeon. Having lost his right eye, Brian was on the range that day with his new M1A learning to shoot left-handed while being coached by one of the Army Marksmanship Unit's left-handed shooters. Becoming proficient is important, as Brian, Steve Kiernan and Ceamus McDermott will be making the trip to Camp Perry Ohio next week to compete in the Civilian Marksmanship Program Trophy Matches.
While on the range, in between relays I met Lee Hampton. Lee is a tall broad-chested man with a million dollar smile who I initially mistook as a volunteer. As it turned out, USMC Sergeant Lee Hampton was there that day to shoot. Lee sustained a direct bullet wound while in Iraq. In addition to the damage caused when the bullet entered his upper arm, he still has shrapnel in his hands and "too many other places to list." While excited to be there, the last time Lee heard gunfire it was coming at him and his apprehension about being on a firing range again was obvious.
Lee asked if I would be willing to coach him when it was his turn to shoot and I gladly accepted the invitation. We found a shooting jacket that would fit this gentle giant, got him into the prone position and worked on his natural point of aim. Once the command to fire was given, Lee squeezed off his first shot since being wounded. As the volunteer pit-pullers worked his target up and down marking his 10s and Xs, I asked him how he felt to be back on the gun. The smile he gave me in response needed no explanation. He was back on the gun and felt good.
After the shooting was over, standing on the firing line under the canopy provided for shade, Brian shared his experience with me. He showed me the scar where part of his hipbone was removed to create a new cheekbone and spoke optimistically about his next surgery that will recreate the remainder of the left side of his face. His skull from ear to ear, including his right eye socket, is titanium. As Brian guided my fingers to the ridge on his skull where bone meets titanium, he talked about how he felt and the thoughts he had a year ago while lying in the hospital bed. What would the quality of his life be? How would he be treated by society? What would other's perceptions be? And, would he ever feel normal again?
Feeling normal was exactly the way that Brian and the others felt that day. They were not wounded, disabled or even soldiers; they were just a bunch of guys on a range shooting rifles. "It was a great day that I will not soon forget and am grateful to everyone who made this day possible," Brian said. "All I wanted to do was shoot. I never expected J.J. to give me a rifle or have the AMU here to help coach. There are no words to express the level of gratitude that I have for him and everyone who was here today."
At the conclusion of the day, I asked J.J. why he started this program, "we, as citizens, have an obligation and duty to show our respect and admiration to the members or our armed forces. Our group is made up of citizens, both civilian and military, that work together, to make it successful," he explained. "I started this project to show these wonderful young men and women that we, the shooting community, care and respect them for their service and sacrifice for freedom and our Nation. I consider all these men and women my sons and daughters."
For more information on the M1 for Vets Program, you can contact J.J. O'Shea directly at jjoshea@msn.com
Donations can be mailed to:
M1 for Vets
P.O. Box 876
Huntersville, NC 28070
For information about the National Rifle Association's Disabled Shooting Services contact Vanessa Warner at 703-267-1495 or vwarner@nrahq.org
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