KC STAR Article

Try the link below to see the front page article on Matt and his comrades at the Center for the Intrepid. It is quite a tribute.
http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/247711.html

(I am not sure how long this link will work.)

What a Beautiful Tribute!

So many people to thank...The response to the benefit barbeque was phenomenal! More than a thousand people were served. Holy Trinity Parish you are the best!

It looked like everyone had a great time.

Our family is certainly blessed.

Thank you, Mary, Roger, Joanne, Stan, Chris , Kamal, Fr. Tom and everyone else who helped in big ways and small.

Holy Trinity Parish Benefit Barbeque

On Saturday, August 25, 2007, Holy Trinity Parish is holding a benefit barbeque for Matt and his family. Organizers of the benefit pose by the smoker in front of the church before starting the ribs. At least nine hundred tickets were sold!!!

Mr. Chris Herrold, donor, organizer and chief smoker, prepares part of the 100 pounds of smoked sausage, 160 slabs of baby back ribs and 1,400 pieces of chicken that will be served.

Mmm Mmm good!

Thank you, everyone!

The Matt Lammers Family in June 2007

Tessa sent this great family photo for today's posting.
What a reunion it will be when they are all together in their new home!

Spotlight on Tessa

Matt's Faithful Wife

One of the first things I learned and admired about Tessa when I first met her was that she is a faithful, self-sacrificing care-taker. Before she and Matt were married, I was amazed when I saw her love for family members and her willingness to put them before herself when they were sick or needed care.
When she and Matt were first married, I saw Tessa leave her family, whom she loves so deeply, in order to fully love her husband and care for him. She was willing to move from her home-town, where all of her family lives, to follow Matt as he was stationed in different bases throughout the US. She often stayed on base, far from family, taking care of their home even during long deployments. She has worked to make a home for her family no matter where she has been (even in a hospital room- the nurses agreed that it was the best decorated room they have ever seen!).
Tessa has been diligently caring for their daughters through Matt’s basic training and three deployments. Because of Matt’s service to our great country, Tessa has been the primary care-taker for much of their girl’s lives. Yet now, she has been away from them for nearly two months as she has lovingly put her husband before them and stayed by his side. I cannot imagine how much she misses her little girls and how she longs for them. Every day is a great sacrifice as she lovingly cares for Matt with her girls so far away.
When I had the opportunity to visit with Matt and Tessa in Texas a few weeks ago, I got to see first hand Tessa’s incredible patience and love for Matt. She seemed to know just what to say to lift him when he needed it most. Many people have commented that they are amazed at Matt’s incredibly positive attitude. He has no doubt had a fantastic view from the very beginning of this. But, I think that his wife, Tessa, is in large part the “wind beneath his wings”.
While deployed in Iraq, when Matt struggled with the realities of war and the real danger he was in, Tessa was so strong, always saying “You’re not gonna’ die!” in a very casual and convincing way. Even now, she seems unmoved by the injuries that Matt has endured, saying, “I wasn’t attached to his arm and legs!” She continually reassures him of her love and adoration for him. She has been by his side from the moment he arrived in Texas, and seems so at ease with him, quietly caring for him just the way he needs.
Tessa has done an outstanding job of caring for her husband. Yet, I think she probably just sees it as the simple things she does. It comes so naturally to her. But, today, I want to thank her, and commend her on a job very well done. She is a wonderful, loving mom, and the perfect support and life companion for Matt.

Thank you, Tessa.



Jessica

Oops!

We hear that Matt is able to do wheelies in his manual chair. We also hear that Matt fell from the chair and had to have three sutures put in his arm...Hummmm!!!???

This is for you, Daddy

Here are some pictures for you, Daddy!

Very lucky kids...This is Lori Shulz, Tessa's mother. She as well as Tessa's dad, John, and her sister, Nissa, have been caring for Taena and Jaelen all summer.

Unbridled Generousity!

Matt and Tessa have been the recipients of many gifts and contributions. We simply cannot acknowledge everyone! However, there are a few people and organizations who need to be publicly thanked...General Larry Kay, Deputy Director of the Missouri Veterans Commission and Pat Kerr, State Veterans Ombudsman/ Operation Outreach of the Missouri Veterans Commission, Senator Bob Dole, Co-Chair of the Commission on Care for Returning Wounded Warriors, Reserve Aid and Soldier's Angels. These people and organizations have gone out of their way to provide for Matt and his family. We cannot thank you enough!

We also need to acknowledge with gratitude the manner in which the military is providing care for Matt. He truly is being given the best treatment available. His doctors, nurses, therapists and other assistants and case workers have given him the best of care.

Donated Van with lift