I am a Chaplain (Major) Retired, and my military life has been a great adventure! In 1976 I joined the USMC right out of High School. Over the next four years, I traveled around Southeast Asia on a couple of Westpac tours with the 3rd Marine Division out of Kaneohe, HI. I did well during that time and finished my first tour of service at the rank of Corporal. Later in 1988 I joined active-duty Army where I worked as a Combat Medic and a Staff Sergeant.
I left the Army and went to school, where I obtained a Master of Divinity and a PhD in Theology. One day while teaching in 2003, I was told that I could join the Kentucky National Guard as a Chaplain. I jumped at the chance. I served in the first Gulf War at a level 1 trauma center and later deployed with a Military Police Battalion to Iraq in 2011. When I returned from Iraq, I was recognized as being the only one in my Battalion with a “confirmed kill.” I was attacked by a scorpion one night in the desert, and thanks to some quick thinking and my combat boot, I walked away unharmed.
Whether it was as a Marine, in the Army or working as a Chaplain, I have always worked with combat soldiers. In 2014, I was the Brigade Chaplain for the 149th MEB and retired at the rank of Major. There were a few bumps and bruises throughout the years, and I was given a military disability rating of 100%.
I have been blessed to have my wife of 42 years, Rhonda, with me throughout my life. We have 3 children, 2 girls and a boy, and 2 grandchildren. My youngest daughter has MS which she is able to keep stable through shots and other medication. My son is a lawyer who works to help veterans get the disability that they deserve from their time in service. My oldest daughter is an Art Therapist who loves to help those in need. Both grandkids are 5 years old and are bundles of energy. My grandson Felix is a happy boy who lives to talk and play. My granddaughter Charlotte is sweet and energetic. She loves ballet and rock climbing!
I have traveled to 27 different countries. An example is that I have served as a visiting professor of Theology in Brazil for some time. I have two hobbies, one is golf and the other is stage magic, which I began when my children were very small to keep them entertained. I have enjoyed entertaining my grandchildren and others at parties, zoos, and at walk-arounds. I am a member of the Society of American Magicians.
Because of the progress of my kidney disease, it has become difficult to do a lot of magic with groups. The kidney disease makes me weak, but I do enjoy playing golf with a group of friends who are teaching me to laugh a all of my bad shots.
In 1992 while I was in the Army, I was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy. At first it did not present obvious issues, but over the years, my kidneys have increasingly weakened. Six months after I officially retired, I was in a hospital because my kidneys were no longer working. Each day I battle fatigue and brain fog that is the result of my disease. Often, I am only able to work in my garden for a few hours in the morning before the fatigue takes over. I watch as my muscles waste away and my skin cracks, but I understand that this is a part of the disease process.
The situation now presents itself that I require a kidney transplant. So, I am looking for someone willing and able to donate a kidney to an old vet who seeks to continue his great adventure!
For medically cleared donors, giving the gift of life through living kidney donation has been proven to be very safe. DOVE will assist all prospective donors throughout the process and make sure they do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses related to the evaluation or surgery. A healthy person can live a normal life with one kidney and save Brent’s life with the other!
Your support, whether through spreading the word on social media or considering becoming a donor, can make a profound impact on his life and the life of his family!
Please click on the link below if you would like to learn more OR call (551) 233-1611