Mountain Home VA Medical Center

Lance Corporal (Lance Cpl.) Larry Bridges had just come off duty guarding an observation post in Afghanistan and was talking with others who had relieved him when the sound of a sniper's bullet greatly altered this Marine's day. Lance Cpl. Bridges took a major hit in his right leg, shattering his tibia and fibula, which required surgeries in Afghanistan, Landstuhl, Germany and stateside at Bethesda Naval Hospital. This active duty service member was required to have a period of convalescence and follow-up care and his father lives in Morristown, Tennessee. 

In November, the Bethesda VA/DoD Liaison contacted Mountain Home OEF/OIF staff to explore the possibility of Bridges receiving his rehabilitation and convalescent care at Mountain Home, which is less than an hour's drive from the home of his father. The coordination of care for the things that would be needed took place expeditiously and with great teamwork on behalf of the Mountain Home staff. The Chief of Business Office reviewed the eligibility portion and found a way to quickly work through the red tape; the Associate Chief of Staff for Primary Care reviewed the case and recommended the involvement of the Surgery and Rehabilitation staff and the OEF/OIF team ushered the calls and needed communication through the maze of Federal regulations and coordination.  Through phone calls and face-to-face meetings, the plan quickly came together and Lance Cpl. Bridges arrived at Mountain Home VA Medical Center for his outpatient care.

Bridges welcomed the opportunity to talk about his time of service in Afghanistan. He is proud to be a Marine with the 29th Echo Company out of Camp Lejeune. His bright eyes and infectious smile lets one know immediately that he is 100% committed to the job he has to do in the military and his only goal is to get better and return to his unit as quickly as possible. He said he wished he could have gotten all his care in Afghanistan and stayed with his unit. However, he knew that was not possible and keeps in touch with them through the Internet.

The OEF/OIF staff has enjoyed working with this remarkable Marine who brought home to them the realities of the war. Seeing this 19 year old with the injuries that he sustained and with his great attitude about quick healing so he can return to his unit, confirms that our military has "the best" out there protecting other countries and insuring the freedom that all of us in the U.S. enjoy every day.