Operation Mend is a groundbreaking effort at UCLA Medical Center to heal those injured in combat. It began with facial reconstruction and has grown. Host families play a role in making members of the military feel welcome.
Wounded at war, one retired soldier asked "where do I go now?" Joey Barr turned to a groundbreaking effort at UCLA. It's called Operation Mend.
Its theory, "it is an honor to serve those who served" our country.
Barr had only been in the military a year-and-a-half when his truck was blown up in Iraq. That left him with knee, back, shoulder, neck and eye injuries.
Two surgeries while in the military didn't take. Now retired, he came here to Tiverton House. It's where he stays for surgeries while at UCLA Medical Center.
He lives in Iowa but stays here under a program called Operation Mend.
Operation Mend got its start in 2007. UCLA is partnered with Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio which deals with severe burns. The program has helped about 75 members of the military. Their photos, many with disfigured faces, are on full display on the program's website. It all began with facial reconstruction and grew from there. While Barr's injuries are barely visible, Dr. Timothy Miller has worked on the severest of war wounded. His specialty is plastic surgery. Miller estimates fifteen-thousand Americans were injured by IED's in Iraq. He knows there are many more in need of Operation Mend.
Moshe and Debra Meppen are making life in L.A. a little easier for Barr and his wife Jennifer. The Meppens are an Operation Mend Buddy Family. The two families spend time together like going to Barr's favorite restaurant in town. Their children have become friends and when Joey needed a heating pad the Meppens ran and picked one up. Buddy families will meet the patient at the airport as a warm welcome to Los Angeles. Dr. Miller calls the Buddy Families a welcome sight, a welcome change, from when he returned from Vietnam.
Barr and his wife are high school sweethearts with two children. He lives with pain daily and has more surgeries in the works. Operation Mend is one of the bright spots says his wife. His goal is to raise his boys and maybe, one day, go for good run.
To donate, volunteer, become a Buddy Family or if you know someone from the military in need, CLICK HERE.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 4:31 PM EDT2013-05-22 20:31:37 GMT
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:00 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:00:29 GMT
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police.
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police. Andrea Rebello's family followed the pastor Wednesday as he led her white cloth-draped coffin to the altar at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:55:01 GMT
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:27 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:27:26 GMT
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:10 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:10:42 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:23 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:23:21 GMT
Ex-congressman Anthony Weiner whose career imploded after raunchy tweets said in a YouTube video announcement that he's in the New York City mayoral race.
Ex-congressman Anthony Weiner whose career imploded after raunchy tweets said in a YouTube video announcement that he's in the New York City mayoral race. A poll released Wednesday placed Weiner in second place behind City Council Speaker Christine Quinn in a Democratic primary.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:10 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:10:21 GMT
Commuter rail service from Connecticut to New York City, along with Amtrak service between Boston and New York, was back on schedule Wednesday morning on one of the nation's oldest and most heavily traveled railways.
Commuter rail service from Connecticut to New York City, along with Amtrak service between Boston and New York, was back on schedule Wednesday morning on one of the nation's oldest and most heavily traveled railways.
Credit: Joey Barr
Credit: Joey Barr
