John Folsom

Background

About John Folsom

A few years ago, Executive Director Colonel John Folsom and Craig Pirtle were at a Christmas event at Bethesda Naval Hospital, where they had the opportunity to visit rooms and meet soldiers and their families. In one of the rooms was a young soldier who had deployed with the 2nd Infantry Division and attached to II Marine Expeditionary Force in al Anbar Province in 2005. In a clearing operation, the young soldier entered a house only to have an IED detonate head-high. Although he was fortunate not to lose any limbs, he was severely brain-damaged. When Colonel Folsom met him, his mother and sister were with him. His mother held his hand. Someone in our group had a guitar, and the group sang to him. Although he could not speak, his eyes registered a joy upon hearing us. In that moment, Colonel Folsom could not help but wonder what would happen to him. Certainly, his parents were young enough to look after him for now, but then what? What happens when they are gone?