August 1, 2024
Wounded Warriors Family Support (WWFS) was proud to assist Iraq War veteran, Brian Urruela with his purchase of a 2020 Nissan Murano. Urruela was awarded a vehicle grant by the Mobility is Freedom Program. The program is designed to allow combat-wounded veterans with amputations to select and purchase vehicles and mobility modifications as needed to safely operate the vehicle and regain the freedoms of mobility.
Brian joined the Army in August 2004. After completing basic training and Advance Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, he shipped off for duty station 2-6 Infantry Battalion, 1st Armored Division in Baumholder, Germany. A year later, they deployed to Baghdad in support of OIF. After ten months in country, on October 22nd, 2006, his vehicle was hit by two improvised explosive devices.
Urruela caught multiple pieces of shrapnel to his right thigh causing extensive muscle, bone, nerve, ligament, and skin damage. After nearly two years trying to save his leg through limb salvage before deciding to amputate. Brian then spent another two years learning how to use his prosthetic, both walking and running, before medically retiring in February 2011. “Two years after my amputation, I medically retired from the Army in prime physical condition,” Brian continues to stay in very fit condition, plays baseball, and has even done fitness modeling work over the years.
Wounded Warriors Family Support is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured, or killed during combat operations. This organization is run by combat veterans for combat veterans. Rated a four-star nonprofit by Charity Navigator, Wounded Warriors Family Support aids veterans and their families in healing the wounds that medicine cannot.
