This past spring I was privileged to share my testimony with I Am Second.  Below is the link to that video.

http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/brian-birdwell/

There are dozens of other videos that are amazing stories of God's redeeming grace.

Started by 9/11 Pentagon survivor Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian Birdwell and wife Mel donated more than $250,000 to burn centers, burn survivors, and wounded servicemen and women

DALLAS/FORT WORTH, TX—Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian Birdwell was standing about 15-20 yards away from the spot where American Airlines Flight 77 deliberately crashed through the outer wall of the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.  Though horribly burned, Brian survived—but the weeks and months that followed were filled with excruciating pain, more than 30 operations, and endless therapy sessions.  Brian and Mel Birdwell lived with the fear, pain, and overwhelming stress and sadness burn patients and their families must endure.  Yet, amid the agony and heart-wrenching circumstances surrounding them, the Birdwells discovered life-sustaining hope and meaning in events that were out of their control.

It was this discovery and the knowledge that God wanted them to use their experience to help others that led them to start Face the Fire Ministries.  In the years since the ministry’s inception, the Birdwells have raised money from book sales, speaking engagements, and individual donations in order to provide financial gifts totaling more than $250,000 to hospital burn centers, burn survivors and their families, and wounded servicemen and women. 

Through their work with Face the Fire, the Birdwells have visited burn centers in every region of the country.  “It is such a blessing to go in and visit these centers,” says Mel Birdwell.  “Survivors and their families have exactly the same questions we had, and we know what a difference it can make to hear the truth from someone who has experienced what they are going through.  It can be such a lifeline.”

The Birdwells are committed to being exceptional stewards of the funds with which the Lord has provided them and to individual donors that have given, but the heartbeat of their ministry is something that has no dollar value.  “While the primary focus is on encouragement, the easiest measure of what we do is financial.  There aren’t burn centers in every hospital, and sometimes it is necessary for families to be hundreds of miles away from home.  When you’re living out of a suitcase, your first immediate need is cash—and that is something that Face the Fire Ministries is blessed to provide to these families,” says Mel.  “But our primary focus is getting beside someone who is facing what we have faced and supporting them,” Brian Birdwell adds.  “Only the Lord can measure that success—the things that will last long after our organization is out of the picture.”

All proceeds from the sales of the Birdwells’ book, Refined by Fire, from speaking engagements, and from individual donations have gone directly to the ministry and its subsequent gifts.  Face the Fire Ministries has assisted individual burn survivors with basic needs like the purchase of pressure garments and cash for the immediate need of displacement from home.  The ministry has also provided funds to help to defray costs for families who qualify for special assistance by helping them stay at Fisher Houses on military installations—facilities similar to Ronald McDonald Houses.  These facilities house families who are caring for injured soldiers.

With the years of extensive ministry to burn victims behind them, Brian and Mel look forward to the many years ahead of making life easier for burn survivors and their families.  “God is faithful to continue to bring people into our lives that need to be comforted,” says Brian.  “We’re delighted that through Face the Fire Ministries we can offer that comfort in the way so many people did for us in those days, weeks, and months following September 11.”

Since 1987, The B & B Media Group, Inc. has used its broadcasting, marketing, and advertising experience to provide the specialized and strategic publicity necessary to achieve the public relations goals of each client.  The Barnabas Agency, a division of The B & B Media Group, Inc., is a proven provider of exceptional public relations and personal management services for authors, speakers, ministries, and organizations.

This young man endured a horrendous ordeal, but came out refined.  Even as he met with his doctors just prior to surgery he was a shining example of God's love.  His journey continues and we asked that you pray for he and his family as well.

www.dallaswiems.com

NCLS speakers share experiences, perspectives on leadership

Posted 2/25/2010   Updated 2/25/2010 Email story   Print story

by Ann Patton and Staff Sgt. Don Branum
U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs

2/25/2010 - U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- shared life experiences, expertise and food for thought with both cadets and visiting university and college students during the National Character and Leadership Symposium at the Air Force Academy Feb. 18-19.

Speakers included Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, former Baltimore Ravens head coach Brian Billick, Center for Citizen Leadership chairman Eric Greitens and retired Army Lt. Col. Brian Birdwell, a survivor of the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon, among many others.

Secretary Donley was one of the first speakers the morning of Feb. 19.

"I'm proud to be with you today among the wide range of speakers," the secretary said. He thanked members of the Association of Graduates' Class of 1973 for sponsoring the event, and he thanked the speakers for supporting the symposium.

"I'm jealous that I can't spend a couple of days and attend every one of the events," he said. "As you can see from the quality of cadets, this venture is worthy of all our time."

Secretary Donley recognized cadets' commitments to serve the United States during a time of both military and economic diversity, as the nation fights two wars while experiencing the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.

"True character often becomes apparent in the face of adversity," he said. "This is the time for leadership. This is the time for character."

Character, Secretary Donley said, means asking why, what, whom and how Airmen serve. The "what" is encapsulated in President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "four freedoms": the freedom of speech and expression, freedom for every person to worship in his or her own way, freedom from want and freedom from fear.

"We serve these principles as enshrined in our Constitution," he said. "We find that defending the Constitution is more important than defending America itself because there would be no America without the Constitution. There may be no higher calling than defending the Constitution and the American people."

How Airmen serve is as important as the act of serving, Secretary Donley continued.

"Our men and women are trusted with weapons of unimaginable destructive power, and even a small mistake may cause a loss of life," he said. "The core values' adoption by all of us defines us. Service is diminished if our values are compromised. There is perhaps no more important time to live by them than now, when our nation calls upon us."

As Secretary Donley addressed cadets in Arnold Hall, Dr. David Callahan, author of "The Cheating Culture: Why More Americans are Doing Wrong to Get Ahead," spoke in Fairchild Hall. He is a senior fellow and co-founder of the New York-based Demos think tank and holds a doctorate in politics. He branded himself NCLS' bad news bear.

"I believe the nation is in big trouble in terms of ethics and character," he said and added it is the biggest challenge of the 21st century.

During research for "The Cheating Culture" and as examples, he learned that tax evasion has doubled during the last 15 years, employee theft has become the biggest single form of crime against businesses, high-profile sports figures have admitted using illicit drugs to enhance performance, and two-thirds to three-fourths of young people have admitted to academic cheating in the last year.

"In every sector, trust is in short supply," he said.

There is some good news, however. Dr. Callahan pointed out the crime rate has fallen with New York City, experiencing its lowest homicide rate. In addition, drunken driving has dropped 40 percent since 1980, and the suicide rate dropped 15 percent last year.

"But it is a bifurcated morality," he said. "We can do better."

He said there are signs ethics and morals are strengthening.
"You can never count Americans out for reform," he said. "The pendulum is swinging toward reform."

Society, he believes, should reward a strong work ethic. Rule breakers should be dealt with justly. No one is above the law, and everyone should have a say in how the rules are made.

When Colonel Birdwell went to work at the Pentagon Sept. 11, 2001, he expected a slow day. Senior officers were in meetings out of the building all day, and the office TV was on. Instead, he and his two co-workers in the Pentagon watched news reports as the World Trade Center's Twin Towers stood in flames against the Manhattan skyline.

A trip to the second floor lavatory shortly afterward saved his life.

"I stand before you by grace," he told students in Fairchild Hall.
Colonel Birdwell's work area was in the direct path of the American Airlines Flight 77, a Boeing 757 that was traveling at more than 500 miles per hour when it slammed into the Pentagon. His co-workers died, and he suffered third-degree burns over two-thirds of his body.

Two days after the attack, Mrs. Birdwell received a call on her cell phone -- a number reserved only for family and close friends -- from the White House. President and Mrs. George W. Bush wanted to visit with victims of the crash.

Later, the Birdwell family recalled with humor Mrs. Birdwell asking at the end of the conversation, "How did you get this number?"
The reply: "Ma'am, we are the Secret Service."

Colonel Birdwell told NCLS participants the somber demeanor on the commander in chief's face no doubt reflected the weight on his shoulders.

"This is not going to go unanswered," the president assured the Pentagon attack victims in the hospital's burn unit.

After four long years of excruciating treatments, skin grafts and plastic surgeries, Colonel Birdwell was finally released from medical care for his injuries. He returned to the restored Pentagon afterward for a visit.

"I was going to walk back into that building in memory of my two friends," he said.

While Colonel Birdwell gave his presentation in one auditorium, attorney C.L. Lindsay spoke to cadets about the real-world consequences of online behavior in another. Mr. Lindsay wrote "The College Student's Guide to the Law" and founded the Coalition for Student and Academic Rights.

"Everything you do online has a real-world equivalent. Think about the offline equivalent first," he said.

Mr. Lindsay stressed anything posted or sent online may be copied infinitely and may remain there indefinitely. He cautioned students about illegally downloading music and movies from the Internet. Fines for copyright infringement can reach up to $250,000 per infraction.

"Sexting," or sending sexually-charged materials via cell phones or the Internet, is like swimming in shark-infested waters, Mr. Lindsay said. While it may be legal for adults, it can result in permanent embarrassment. For exchanges involving persons under 18, the waters become even more hazardous: if caught and prosecuted, someone of legal age may face criminal charges and may be placed on a list of known sex offenders.

"Stuff online is a billboard," Mr. Lindsay said. "There is no expectation of privacy."

To avoid pitfalls online and remain safe, he had recommendations for the students. Set computer privacy levels at their highest, don't post photos of illegal activities such as drug or alcohol use, and use strong discretion in selecting a profile photo.He further advised not to post numbers of any kind, especially such identifiers as area codes and addresses or photos with such identifiers as dormitory names in the background.

"Assume your information will be there forever," he said. "Think before you click 'send.'"

Cadet 2nd Class Glynnis Quern of Cadet Squadron 36 listened to several speakers, including Nate Self, a former Army Ranger and a veteran of the Battle of Roberts Ridge in Afghanistan. A Roberts Ridge panel met twice, once at 9:20 a.m. and again at 1 p.m.

"I was impressed with Mr. Self because I imagine his experience ... would be incredibly difficult to talk about," Cadet Quern said.

While she enjoyed this year's symposium, Cadet Querm said she would like to see NCLS "spill over" into Saturday as previous years' symposiums have done.

"By the last speaker of the day, my attention was definitely waning," she said. "I certainly enjoyed everything, but I think we should go back to last year's schedule. Most (cadets) don't want to give up their Saturday mornings, but with the quality of the speakers and the importance of the content, I think it's a worthwhile sacrifice."

NCLS is about changing lives, one person at a time, said Col. John Norton, director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development. The theme of this year's symposium addressed the challenges of leadership in the modern era.

"The Air Force Academy has a duty to expose cadets to diverse points of view so they can reflect on what they've heard and make up their own minds about complex issues," Colonel Norton said.

One of the most powerful aspects of NCLS is the opportunity for cadets to interact with students from other colleges, Colonel Norton said.

"They soon realize they're alike in more ways than they imagined," he added.

Colonel Norton said he thought this year's symposium was compelling for a number of reasons.

"The speakers reminded our students that the world in which they lead will be fraught with challenges and complexities but also filled with exciting opportunities to make a difference," he said.

Fort Worth, TX—Hope gets us through a tough day, calms our spirit during a dark night and helps us move through life with a peace that passes understanding.  It is exactly this kind of hope that kept Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian Birdwell and his wife, Mel, together in the wake of the 9/11 Pentagon attack, when the flames of American Airlines flight 77 consumed 60 percent of Brian’s body.

The Birdwell’s story of enduring hope, unwavering faith, undying patriotism and unconditional love will be featured on October 6, 2009, during a benefit dinner hosted by Disabled Crime Victims Assistance, Inc. at the Fort Worth Club (306 W. 7^th St., Fort Worth, TX 76102).  “Our hope is that our story will help raise awareness for the DCVA and their support of those who have been disabled as a result of a crime,” says Brian.  “If our experiences can inspire those folks and help them move forward in their lives, it’s all worth it.”    

Brian’s recovery after more than 30 surgeries and Mel’s commitment to faith and family have resulted in an amazing story of courage and renewal in the midst of tragedy.  Brian was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on September 11, 2001.  After serving his country for 20 years, Brian retired, and he and Mel founded Face the Fire Ministries, Inc.  The ministry was established to assist burn survivors and wounded servicemen and women and their families.  In 2004 the Birdwell’s inspiring story was told in the book Refined by Fire (Tyndale House Publishers, 2004).

The Birdwell’s vision fits perfectly with the mission of Disabled Crime Victims Assistance, Inc., which is committed to assisting disabled crime victims and their families as well as promoting awareness of their specialized needs to those who serve victims and the community.

For ticket and sponsorship information:

817-338-0220  www.dcvainc.org

For Interviews contact Diane Morrow 817-656-3468

dmorrow@tbbmedia.com

  Los Angeles Times NATION

By Faye Fiore

September 11, 2009

Reporting from Washington - Lt. Col. Brian Birdwell is in Texas now. Army Chaplain Henry A. Haynes is in South Carolina. Eight years ago today, they were inside the Pentagon at 9:39 a.m., when American Airlines Flight 77 hit its mark.

The world tends to give its fullest attention to anniversaries that end in zero or five -- not eight. There will be bagpipes and drums in New York. The president will lay a wreath at the Pentagon. Most of the nation will take a collective pause and move on.

But for those like Birdwell and Haynes, directly touched by the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, every anniversary is a powerful reminder of grief, and, as years go by, a kind of healing.

Birdwell was burned over 60% of his body. Today, he is retired from the Army and running a ministry for burn victims he founded with his wife.

Haynes was the Pentagon chaplain, coming up from a meeting in the basement when he heard chaos and spent the next 24 hours ministering to people who kept asking, "Why?" Today he is at Ft. Jackson, S.C., counseling combat troops.

"The key thing for those who lived it versus watched it, is the nation will recognize an anniversary," Birdwell said. "But when I look in the mirror and see the scars, I can concentrate on the terrible nature of what happened or I can concentrate on the Lord's grace in our lives."

Birdwell was standing about 20 yards from the point of impact. The plane exploded, and he was on fire. It took 30 surgeries and years of excruciating rehabilitation to piece him back together. When his wife, Mel, first saw him in the hospital, the doctors' best efforts to prepare her were insufficient.

Had anyone said to her then that she and her husband would write a book and found a ministry, she wouldn't have thought it possible. The book is "Refined by Fire"; the ministry is Face the Fire. They tour the country talking to combat-wounded soldiers and children pulled from infernos. Whenever asked if life will ever seem normal again, they answer yes.

"A number of things came out of that day," Birdwell says from his home in Granbury, Texas. "I knew my ability to compete for promotion was over. But the pastors who visited kept asking: 'How are you going to let the Lord use you for this story?' "

Not a day passes when he doesn't think of his two co-workers who perished. His joints don't bend the way they did and his lungs are damaged. But he thinks he looks pretty good "for a 47-year-old guy who got run over by a 747."

"If I want people to know one thing, it's this: I am alive today because of the miracle of Christ," he said.

Haynes doesn't need a calendar to know what time of year it is. Like most who were in the vicinity that day, a crisp, cloudless sky is a "9/11 day."

Since he left the Pentagon in 2002, he's had rotations at three posts. Each time, someone asks him to talk about the attack, and he does: the way Americans came together, the flags that hung from every overpass as he drove home, exhausted, and later from every house in his neighborhood.

"It changed me as a person," says Haynes, 56. "I have a far greater appreciation for the spirit of people in a time of need and how they came together. God is always there."

When soldiers going into or returning from combat seek his counsel, he references that Tuesday.

"It helps them to understand. It's something tangible they can get their arms around and say, 'He's not just talking off the top of his head,' " he said.

Still, it is easier to discuss other people's suffering than his own, he says. "I don't talk about that much. It was humbling. I don't have a good answer."

As anniversaries go, eight years isn't much of a milestone. The traditional wedding anniversary gift for eight isn't silver or gold, it's pottery: useful and durable, but fragile nonetheless.

faye.fiore@latimes.com

Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times

July 10, 2009  

Contact:                                                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

John Boyd

972-235-2356 / 866-744-6780

boyd@signs2k,com

BRAZOS RIVER CORVETTE CLUB ANNOUNCES FOURTH ANNUAL CAR SHOW AND BANQUET BENEFITING FACE THE FIRE MINISTRIES

The Brazos River Corvette Club in Granbury, TX, announces their fourth annual “Vettes on the Square” Corvette Car Show, Saturday, October 10, 2009. The Brazos River Corvette Club, organized in 2003, is a social club for Corvette enthusiasts and gets its name from the Brazos River that runs from North Texas through Granbury and down to the Gulf of Mexico.  The annual car show held on the Historic Square in Granbury, outside of being fun for all who attend it, is an event where members raise money for a chosen charity, including past recipients; Coalition to Salute American Heroes (www.saluteheroes.org) and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hood and Somervell counties (www.cactx.org).

This year’s benefiting charity is once again Face the Fire Ministries (www.facethefire.org) which was started by severely burned 9/11 Pentagon survivor and Granbury resident, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian Birdwell and his wife Mel.  Face the Fire gives hope and encouragement to burn survivors and their families.  Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian Birdwell was standing about 20 yards away from the spot where American Airlines Flight 77 was deliberately crashed through the outer wall of the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Though horribly burned, Brian survived; but the weeks and months that followed were filled with excruciating pain, more than 30 operations and endless therapy sessions.  Brian and Mel Birdwell lived with the fear and overwhelming stress and sadness burn patient families must endure.  Yet, amid the agony and heart-wrenching circumstances surrounding them, the Birdwells discovered life-sustaining hope and meaning in events that were out of their control; they learned about the ultimate miracle of grace.  Through their work with Face the Fire, the Birdwells visit burn units and military hospitals across the country, offering comfort and financial support to others who are dealing with burns and severe injuries from combat.  Face the Fire already has helped to make life easier for many burn survivors, wounded servicemen and women and their families.  In addition, all donations and proceeds the Birdwells receive from their book, Refined by Fire, and from speaking engagements, go directly to the ministry.  Face the Fire has helped to fund Fisher Houses, facilities similar to Ronald McDonald Houses, on military installations to house families who are caring for injured soldiers. In 2008 the Brazos River Corvette Club presented the Birdwells and Face the Fire Ministries approximately $18,000 from the proceeds from the car show, silent auction and banquet.

This year’s theme is “Saluting Veterans Past and Present” and the Brazos River Corvette Club will be hosting a reception and dinner featuring Brian and Mel Birdwell at the Granbury Convention Center, Granbury, TX, on Friday evening October 9, 2009, beginning at 6:30 PM.  Tax deductible tickets for dinner and presentations are $50 each with 100% of the proceeds to benefit Face the Fire Ministries and their support for severely wounded combat veteran, families and severely burn victims. The Friday evening dinner will “Salute” local veterans of all ages and will feature an update from Lt. Col. (Ret) Birdwell on Face the Fire Ministries’ mission, and the successes of the past year, while offering a social opportunity to meet our friend and neighbors.

Information regarding purchasing dinner tickets, and the Saturday Car Show, can be found on the Brazos River Corvette Club web site www.brazosrivercc.com.  Information regarding Face the Fire Ministries, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian and Mel Birdwell, and Refined by Fire, can be found on their web site www.facethefire.org.

For further information contact:

Brazos River Corvette Club

John Boyd

972-235-2356

866-744-6780

boyd@signs2k.com

These past two months have been very busy.  In August alone, Face The Fire provided just over $11,000 in financial gifts to critically burned military personnel and civilians.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated.  In mid September we received our permanent 501C3 non-profit status from the IRS finalizing our status as a non-profit.  As always, please continue to pray for our men and women in uniform for their protection and for those that have been wounded for their complete and full healing and recovery.

Thank you again for your generosity that affords Face The Fire to assist those critically burned and our wounded service personnel. 

Three families at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) which as you know, houses the only Burn Center in the Dept of Defense hospital system were in serious need of financial assistance.  Our gracious point of contact at BAMC contacted Face The Fire seeking assistance for the Kammerdiener, the Tavara, and the Thronhill families.  The ministry was able to assist each of these families with a substantial gift to help defray the cost of prolonged care for their loved ones.  While the surge has brought success in Iraq and fewer casualties, nevertheless our soldiers are still in harms way and they very much appreciate our prayer and gratitude.  Please keep these families in your daily prayer for healing and recovery from massive injuries.

Finally, in July I was privileged to again see Mr. Keith Maupin in Cincinnati.  He is the father of SSG Matt Maupin who after 4 years of being missing in action was returned to his family this past late spring.  Mr. Maupin began the Yellow Ribbon Support Center to assist those currently serving overseas.  Our ministry made a modest donation to assist his organizations efforts to provide care packages and sundry items to let those serving in harms way know they are not forgotten.

It is with your generosity that the Ministry's financial gifts are possible.  Thank you for your generosity and please continue to pray for those mentioned above as well as all our men and women in uniform.

On April 11th, SGT Merlin German passed away at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC).

Mel and I were pleased to meet Merlin back in 2005 about 9 months after he was grievously burned while serving in Iraq.  Merlin was burned on 97% of his body and only survived by the grace of the Lord.  Merlin was in intensive care for 9 months and then step down care for about 16 months and then an out patient residing at the Fisher House on BAMC.  It comes as a great shock and with much sadness for us and our ministry that the Lord chose to call Merlin home.  We were privileged to know Merlin and that our ministry could provide some encouragement and financial assistance to him and his family.  Most of all, he encouraged Mel and I and so many other soldiers recovering with him.  He was the embodiment of the warrior’s spirit and courage.  He will be greatly missed by us and our nation!  You can read more about Merlin at the following Fox news link,  http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,353993,00.html .

As you may know, our fiscal year ends in March.  We owe you an accounting of how we use the gifts you have graciously provided.  This past fiscal year of April 07 to March 08 our ministry has provided $36,000 in gifts (inclusive of the gift to the Harner Burn Center in Lubbock Texas) to our wounded servicemen and women, civilian burn survivors, and organizations that support those two groups of seriously burned and injured.  Over the last 5 years of our ministry’s existence, we have provided just over $140,000 in gifts to these three groups.  Your generosity to our ministry has afforded us this measure of success.  While money is the easiest measure, it is not necessarily the most important measure of the effectiveness of our ministry.  The greatest measure of success is the individual response to encouraging and sharing the Lord’s grace with those critically burned.  As a spiritual measure, only the Lord knows the true measure of our ministry and your generosity that supports us.

Thank you for your generosity and continued support and prayer for our ministry.  

The ministry started by severely burned 9/11 Pentagon survivor Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian Birdwell and wife Mel has donated nearly $50,000 received from speaking engagements and book sales to burn units, burn survivors and wounded servicemen and women

DALLAS/FORT WORTH, TX—Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian Birdwell was standing about 20 yards away from the spot where American Airlines Flight 77 deliberately crashed through the outer wall of the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.  Though horribly burned, Brian survived—but the weeks and months that followed were filled with excruciating pain, more than 30 operations and endless therapy sessions.  Brian and Mel Birdwell lived with the fear and overwhelming stress and sadness burn patients and their families must endure.  Yet, amid the agony and heart-wrenching circumstances surrounding them, the Birdwells discovered life-sustaining hope and meaning in events that were out of their control. 

            It was this discovery and the knowledge that God wanted them to use their experience to help others that led them to start Face the Fire Ministries.  In the three years since the ministry’s inception, nearly $50,000, received from speaking engagements and book sales, has been donated to hospital burn units, burn survivors and their families and wounded servicemen and women.  Through their work with Face the Fire, the Birdwells have also visited countless burn units across the country, offering comfort to others who are dealing with burns.

“It is such a blessing to go in and visit these units,” says Mel Birdwell.  “Victims and their families have exactly the same questions we had, and we know what a difference it can make to hear the truth from someone who has experienced what they are going through.  It can be such a lifeline.”

Among the many locations Brian and Mel Birdwell have visited over the past three years are the Grossman Burn Center in Los Angeles; the Jaycee Burn Unit at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; the Orange County Burn Center in Orlando; the Strong Burn Center in Rochester, New York; and the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.  During the visits, the Birdwells present victims and their families with a special coin they designed themselves and had minted.

All proceeds from the sale of the Birdwells’ book, Refined by Fire, and from speaking engagements have gone directly to the ministry and its subsequent donations.  Face the Fire Ministries has helped to fund Fisher Houses on military installations—facilities similar to Ronald McDonald Houses—and their child development centers.  These facilities house families who are caring for injured soldiers, as well as provide child care for them while they are away from home.  The ministry has even assisted burn survivors with the purchase of pressure garments for low income survivors.

“There aren’t burn units in every hospital, and sometimes it is necessary for families to be hundreds of miles away from home, with no income to support their needs,” Mel says.  “Face the Fire helps take care of them while they are caring for their loved one.”