Raymond Brown was called to join the U.S. Army in November 1966 and served two tours in Vietnam during his time of service. Raymond arrived in Vietnam just three days after the start of the TET Offensive; the largest and bloodiest offensive of the entire Vietnam War. His AIT specialty training in radio microwave equipment repair was widely used and relied upon during the war and was certainly an eye-opener for what was to come.
In February 1969, Raymond returned home after his first Vietnam tour and was assigned to White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. While on a temporary assignment in Utah, Raymond was the victim of a vehicular accident where he was run down broadside at 70mph, leaving his back broken in 4 places and his left leg in 134 places, which kept him hospitalized for nearly two years.
After returning to duty at WSMR and completing another Vietnam tour, Raymond returned to the United States in February 1972, taught basic electronics to troops for 3 years, and parted ways with the Army in July 1975. After moving back to his hometown of Richmond, Ind., Raymond and his wife, Kathy, raised their two children, and he worked for an electronics company and major shopping center property group in the private sector before retiring in 2001.
Today, you can find Raymond traveling throughout Indiana on his Trackmaster machine serving his current mission. Since 2017, he has dedicated his time to restoring veteran markers in cemeteries throughout Indiana at no charge to the families. As the director for Mission Restore Bronze Indiana, Raymond and other members of the organization have restored more than 6,000 markers in 600 cemeteries throughout the state, including for Medal of Honor recipients interred in Indiana.
To read Raymond’s full story and learn more about how you can help or request a marker restoration, visit www.mrbi.rocks.
Crossing generations
Natalie Vines also served in the U.S. Army from 1992 to 2013, and served two tours in Iraq where she was deployed to Baghdad from 2004 to 2005, and to Mosul from 2009 to 2010.
While deployed to Baghdad, Natalie’s unit received enemy mortar fire. During the attack, she suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In Mosul, she received another TBI, which resulted in being medevaced to Germany and then Texas. As a result of the second TBI, Natalie began treatment for seizures, severe migraines, cognitive issues, balance and vision issues, and severe PTSD. Finally, after 21 years of service, Natalie was medically retired from the Army in January 2013.
Fast forward to today, Natalie’s treatment and healing is ongoing. She has attended numerous inpatient and outpatient programs for TBI and PTSD, but one of the biggest and most immeasurable factors to her recovery was receiving a well-trained service dog from Guardian Angels Medical Dogs. Natalie and her husband/caregiver Brian have received tremendous assistance and support from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, and they have been involved with several amazing non-profit organizations, including Wounded Warrior Project, Team Semper FI & America’s Fund, The Independence Fund, The Villagers for Veterans, and Wake for Warriors.
Natalie continues to focus on her recovery, better social integration, and returning to an active lifestyle. To help with that effort, Natalie received a new Trackmaster in August 2021. Natalie and Brian’s beautiful lake property near Ashville, Ala., has some steep terrain challenges, and she now has the freedom to explore, shoot, fish, check the mail, and head to the dock without assistance.
“I love the fact that my track chair helps with my balance and vision issues,” Natalie said. “Otherwise, I would depend on my husband or others to drive me. It’s sturdy, safe, and holds a long battery charge.”
As their way of giving back, Natalie and Brian recently began opening their home to other veterans. Their current mission is to help others with their recovery, enjoy life outdoors, and experience a peaceful, serene place that nature can provide.