Legionnaires recognized for their commitment as caregivers

In 2007, doctors told Jeffrey and Maura Brodeur their son would never walk or talk again. More than seven years later, the sound of Vincent Mannion-Brodeur’s laughter resonated through the hallways of The American Legion’s Washington, D.C., headquarters building Oct. 3 as he walked around the premises.

Vincent sustained various life-threatening injuries on March 7, 2011, while serving with the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq, including a traumatic brain injury that resulted in the removal of his cranium and part of his frontal lobe. Shrapnel wounds ravaged his upper torso, causing the loss of his left arm (which was later re-attached). Subsequently, the young soldier was in a coma for a year. After enduring more than 30 operations, Vincent said he is thankful for the progress he made. He recalled a time when he remembers not being able to speak.

The Legionnaires made the trip down from Massachusetts to attend Hope for the Warrior's Got Heart, Give Hope Celebration, where they here honored for their tenacity in advocating for their son’s needs and the compassionate care they continue to give their son since he left Iraq.

“It’s nice to be recognized and it feels good to win awards, but that is not what it’s about for my family,” Jeffery said. “The best award of all is Vincent. He is always in high spirits and it’s great that he’s made it to this level of recovery. ”

Throughout the ordeal, the Brodeur family stayed by Vincent’s side. Being veterans themselves, Jeffery and Maura were compelled to advocate for him so he could get the continued care he needs, while still balancing their lives out in the community. The couple fought for their son to be transferred to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston from a military medical center during a vital time in his recovery. Vincent became the first East Coast servicemember to receive private care. Jeff and Maura also advised lawmakers during the creation of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010. The tight-knit family agreed that it is very difficult to care for their loved one round-the-clock, but they pull together to make things work.

The Brodeurs are active at American Legion Post 405, where Jeffery said they helped with the conception of several monuments.

As Vincent showed the long scars on his skull, he smiled and said that he is proud of his family and is lucky to have them with him every step of the way. Although he has made remarkable progress, his journey is not over.

“We are always in unchartered waters with his injury,” Jeff said. “He has multiple injuries, and the doctors don’t know the extent of his recovery. We were told Vincent is the only one who served Iraq that sustained these types of injuries (and) that has recovered to this level. He is a walking miracle. We just want to get him recovered the best we can before we leave this planet.”