Operation First Response, Inc
is a proud
team member of
is a proud
team member of
Please take a journey with us and see how Operation First Response becomes entwined with the families we serve.
This story is not unlike thousands of others that we have encountered the past four years; each family we become involved with has a unique story and is filled with miracles that should be told. We are convinced that if all Americans knew the stories of courage, bravery, and strength they would come together for our Veterans.
Our Veterans are the very core of what makes us a strong and great Nation.
OFR Secretary and case worker Heather Sliwinski was the vehicle used to bring Wes and Justin into our lives and we are forever grateful for Heather and her heart.
When a local young man (Justin) enlisted in the Army she made sure that he knew that if he or any of his comrades needed the services of OFR that she was only a phone call or email away.
A few short months ago that need would arise.
Justin is a Medic for the United States Army, his unit was hit hard one night and he wanted Heather to know that one of his brothers (Wes) was coming to Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC). Wes had been seriously wounded and ultimately gave both of his legs for his Country and her Freedoms, it is hard to understand or grasp the gift he was willing to sacrifice for you and me.
We were asked to visit Wes and his family on our next trip to WRAMC and to get a phone number for his unit to call and speak to him.
When we visited the family they were moved beyond words because of Justin’s commitment to Wes, you see Justin had been the one to save Wes’s life. When we mentioned Justin’s name, Wes’s eyes lit up in a way that will never be forgotten. There was no denying that since we were there for Justin we were a welcomed visitor. Before leaving we made sure to get the phone number and also took a picture of Wes to send to his brothers waiting half way across the world.
A warm relationship immediately began between Heather and Wes and his special family.
We were pleasantly surprised to hear in the first week of February that there was to be a wedding on Valentine’s Day.
Heather immediately went in motion with wedding plans. As we listened to her plans it felt as if you might be listening to the Mother of the Groom as she wanted everything to be perfect and she did an awesome job!!
Because Wes’s bride was far from home she did not have any family with her. Wes’s Mom took care of the needs of her young son’s bride and Heather had the pleasure of helping Wes get dressed and ready for his wedding day, what an incredible honor! As Heather described his wedding day to all of us, we were filled with emotion. It was a magical day and we were able to share that with them, this truly shows the depth of the relationships built between OFR and our Heroes!
The pictures in the video you are about to watch were all taken by Heather.
You can see in the eyes of these two very special people the love and commitment that we are often a witness to; Families standing strong together trying to overcome difficult situations.
These are America’s children and they thought nothing of the sacrifices they knew they were making to ensure that you and I sleep peacefully tonight.
This is just one of the many miracles we have seen and taken part in and without the support of the American people we would not have been able to accomplish this.
So to every donor and volunteer we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support of OFR.
No matter what your part, whether large or small you make a difference,
you say to them that we care and will not forget.
God bless America
and
God bless our Troops!!!
Sincerely,
Peggy Baker
President
This story is not unlike thousands of others that we have encountered the past four years; each family we become involved with has a unique story and is filled with miracles that should be told. We are convinced that if all Americans knew the stories of courage, bravery, and strength they would come together for our Veterans.
Our Veterans are the very core of what makes us a strong and great Nation.
OFR Secretary and case worker Heather Sliwinski was the vehicle used to bring Wes and Justin into our lives and we are forever grateful for Heather and her heart.
When a local young man (Justin) enlisted in the Army she made sure that he knew that if he or any of his comrades needed the services of OFR that she was only a phone call or email away.
A few short months ago that need would arise.
Justin is a Medic for the United States Army, his unit was hit hard one night and he wanted Heather to know that one of his brothers (Wes) was coming to Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC). Wes had been seriously wounded and ultimately gave both of his legs for his Country and her Freedoms, it is hard to understand or grasp the gift he was willing to sacrifice for you and me.
We were asked to visit Wes and his family on our next trip to WRAMC and to get a phone number for his unit to call and speak to him.
When we visited the family they were moved beyond words because of Justin’s commitment to Wes, you see Justin had been the one to save Wes’s life. When we mentioned Justin’s name, Wes’s eyes lit up in a way that will never be forgotten. There was no denying that since we were there for Justin we were a welcomed visitor. Before leaving we made sure to get the phone number and also took a picture of Wes to send to his brothers waiting half way across the world.
A warm relationship immediately began between Heather and Wes and his special family.
We were pleasantly surprised to hear in the first week of February that there was to be a wedding on Valentine’s Day.
Heather immediately went in motion with wedding plans. As we listened to her plans it felt as if you might be listening to the Mother of the Groom as she wanted everything to be perfect and she did an awesome job!!
Because Wes’s bride was far from home she did not have any family with her. Wes’s Mom took care of the needs of her young son’s bride and Heather had the pleasure of helping Wes get dressed and ready for his wedding day, what an incredible honor! As Heather described his wedding day to all of us, we were filled with emotion. It was a magical day and we were able to share that with them, this truly shows the depth of the relationships built between OFR and our Heroes!
The pictures in the video you are about to watch were all taken by Heather.
You can see in the eyes of these two very special people the love and commitment that we are often a witness to; Families standing strong together trying to overcome difficult situations.
These are America’s children and they thought nothing of the sacrifices they knew they were making to ensure that you and I sleep peacefully tonight.
This is just one of the many miracles we have seen and taken part in and without the support of the American people we would not have been able to accomplish this.
So to every donor and volunteer we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support of OFR.
No matter what your part, whether large or small you make a difference,
you say to them that we care and will not forget.
God bless America
and
God bless our Troops!!!
Sincerely,
Peggy Baker
President
Congratulations
Mr & Mrs Wesley Leon
We wish you a life time of happiness
and a life time of knowing that your
Country is proud of you and
always will be!
Mr & Mrs Wesley Leon
We wish you a life time of happiness
and a life time of knowing that your
Country is proud of you and
always will be!
Wesley and Marcella and OFR's Heather Sliwinski