There’s a fundraiser happening in June to help an Air Force veteran seriously injured in UTV accident.
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Plans for a benefit to help an American soldier injured during January’s ice storm is underway in Erath County.
A fundraiser for Erath County resident Brandon Merriman will be held on Saturday, June 20, at Melody Mountain Ranch.
Dewayne Terry, known for his Toby Keith tribute, will headline the event, taking the stage around 9:30 p.m.
Gary Bills, who is co-hosting the fundraiser with Don Miller, told Beneath the Surface News the event will also include live and silent auctions, more live music by Noah Claunch, Bobby Luster and Tommy Scales, a food truck and bar.
(Keep scrolling for ticket information.)
MORE ABOUT BRANDON
Brandon served in the U.S. Air Force for 18 years before he was medically retired after suffering multiple injuries while on deployments.
He was working on a ranch in Desdemona and living near Lingleville with his wife Lindsey and their two daughters when an accident changed everything.
On Jan. 24, Brandon was driving a UTV that flipped when it hit a patch of ice.
Brandon was ejected and the UTV landed on his head.
“He had a traumatic brain injury, multiple skull fractures and suffered a stroke,” Lindsey said.
“They had to resuscitate him 22 times.”
The accident also left Brandon with a broken neck, ribs and sternum and third-degree frostbite on his left arm.
Brandon is currently in a rehabilitation center in San Antonio where he is learning how to walk and eat again.
After that, he will transition into another rehab center before, hopefully, getting to return home in August.
With limited mobility, it is unclear if Brandon will ever be able to return to work.
Lindsey is the veteran’s service officer and runs the indigent healthcare program for Erath County.
Since her husband’s injury, she has worked remotely and comes into the office a couple days a week.
“It’s been a really long journey,” she said.
TICKET INFORMATION
General admission tickets to the June 20 fundraiser are available for $100 by clicking here.
Gold and platinum sponsorships are also available by calling 817-233-5141.
The gold package is $400 and includes one ticket and backstage pass.
The platinum package is $1,000 and includes two tickets with preferred seating, lunch with the artists, backstage passes, photo ops and two autographed T-shirts.
Active-duty military with ID will be admitted for free.
Bills said 100% of the proceeds will go directly to Brandon’s recovery and to help his family.
(Keep scrolling for more photos.)
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