In collaboration with Cort Essig at Carr Supply, 3rd & Goal provides Mike and Kelsey Damroze a new HVAC unit valued at $10,000. Mike Damroze is a Marine, through and through. While stationed in Camp Lejeune in 2004, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion 2nd Marine Division Fox Co. 2nd Platoon 3rd Squad 1st Team. Mike was the squad’s point man, meaning he was up front leading patrol, which means he would be the first one to make contact on the front line. Mike’s battalion deployed on July 18th 2005 to Al Karmah Iraq. Al Karmah at the time was very hostile; it was where the insurgents fled after the Battle of Fallujah. On September 23rd 2005, Mike and his squad were assigned to do vehicle checkpoints. On the way to one checkpoint, they passed a Jeep that was wired to be a Vehicle Born Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED). It exploded on target. Mike remembers the flash of light and the overwhelming loud boom. The left side of his body would not move. He was bleeding from his left ear and had shrapnel in his left arm.
After medical treatment that began in Baghdad, Mike was diagnosed with physical injuries of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), extensive nerve damage to the left side of his body, a compressed spine, and Sciatica which causes him to lose feeling in his legs. The psychological injuries are just as severe; chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) causes extreme night terrors which include vivid dreams and sleep walking and talking.
Mike medically retired as a Sergeant from the Marine Corps on August 30th 2012.