Stories of the Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation

The Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation is ambitious in achieving results for our heroes of the military. These are some examples of how our foundation can truly touch lives of people who deserve it. Check out here for more stories.

FIXING A VET'S HOME

"Minnesota Nice" isn't just a saying to one young man in Andover.

Ryan Hallberg faced many tough battles as a soldier in Iraq. Now that he's back in Minnesota, volunteers are doing what they can to make his life at home easier. Read More

GIVING A VET HIS FREEDOM BACK

The latest young man the foundation has helped is 22-year-old Derek Weida from St. Paul. He's a member of the Army and the harsh reality for Weida came after his third deployment to Iraq when he was attacked while raiding a house. A bullet hit his right leg, blowing out the whole top part of the joint, and it cracking the femur up the middle.

"I saw the muzzle flash, and before I could process anything, I was looking up," he said. "It went in right in here. And that's the exit wound." Read More 

TRICKED OUT GOLF CART FOR VET

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, Minn. - In his 23 years, Kyle Anderson has already grappled with his share of problems. He was once a state wrestling champion for Simley High School in Inver Grove Heights, but after enlisting in the Marines, Anderson was injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq and doctors feared he would never walk or talk again.

"It's a huge roller coaster, emotionally," Matt Anderson, Kyle's brother, said. "Learning to walk again or use the right side of his body -- it's a nice up and downer."

Even though Kyle can't drive a car, he was given a new set of wheels Friday -- a golf cart customized to look like a Hummer, complete with headlights and lots of heart.

The golf cart was a gift from Tom McDonough and his family, who know first hand about the casualties of war, losing their son Bryan when he was killed by an improvised explosive device two years ago.

"This is a memorial to my son," McDonough said. "In memory of Bryan McDonough and support our troops. It's our way to keep Bryan living. He lives on in the things we do. He's been our inspiration."

The McDonough family paid for the golf cart through donations from their foundation to help other soldiers adjust to life after combat.

"It almost brings you to tears, how giving some people are." Matt Anderson said. "This family, what they've been through, they still give back. We couldn't be more thrilled."

Bryan McDonough

The Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation was established by by Tom and Renee McDonough (Bryan's parents) in honor of their son's service to his country. Bryan laid down his life during Operation Iraqi Freedom on December 2, 2006.

Bryan's Story

Bryan McDonough was the second of four children; all born within five years to a close knit family. Bryan grew up playing sports in the Roseville area. His favorites were hockey and lacrosse, two physical sports in which he went all out, never backing down. He played on a state championship lacrosse team in 2002, his senior year.

Bryan was usually the littlest guy in his class, on the ice or on the field. What he lacked in size, he made up for in determination, spirit and athletic ability. In hockey he was often a leading scorer on his team and sometimes led in penalty minutes. Outside of organized sports he was the guy that planned the neighborhood pickup football games on a nearby field or boot hockey on the frozen pond behind his Maplewood home. These organizational skills came in handy for putting together spontaneous parties at college in St. Cloud.

When the war started in Iraq in 2003, Bryan watched with interest. Some of the early casualties of the war were soldiers with wives and children. Bryan told his family that the war should be fought by “guys like me, young and single”. He chose to join the Minnesota National Guard in September 2003, knowing that he would be deployed to Iraq. He joined “For my country, my family and me”. He was deployed in October of 2005 and went to Camp Shelby, MS for six months before arriving in Iraq at the end of March 2006.

Bryan served with the 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry, part of the Red Bulls. His Company, Bravo Company, was assigned to Camp Fallujah in the Anbar Province. Bryan wanted to be where the action was and Fallujah was one of those places. Bryan was a Gunner on a Humvee, positioned in the turret with a 50 cal. machine gun. On foot patrol he carried a Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) capable of firing up to 1000 rounds per minute. During his duty Bryan spotted his share of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and experienced enemy fire. Bryan was home on leave in October of 2006 and spoke about the danger of IEDs and the increasing number of them his unit was encountering.

Bryan’s last entry on his MySpace site was on December 1, 2006. Bryan’s pride and dedication to his mission is evident in the words he wrote for the world to see on this site: “Right now I’m in Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This is definitely not the most glorious place in the world, but there’s no other place I would rather be. Putting everything on the line to defend my country is something I wanted to do and am proud to be here”.

On December 2, 2006, Bryan happened to be the driver of his squad’s brand new Humvee out on routine patrol. He was following a Bradley Fighting Vehicle, a tracked vehicle that most of us would call a “Tank” down a road near their base. The Bradley has a wider track than that of a Humvee and somehow missed the massive IED that Bryan drove over. The blast killed Bryan instantly. Corey Rystad was seated directly behind Bryan and was killed. John Kriesel lost both of his legs. Two others, including Tim Nelson survived the blast.

Bryan might have stood only 5 foot 7 in his boots, but he was a very big man to all that knew him. In his 22 years on earth Bryan made innumerable friends. Thousands showed to say goodbye to him on a rainy December day. He is missed by everyone who ever met him

Contact the Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation

Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation
251 W. Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55107
651-379-6242


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Foundation Type

The Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation is an IRS 501(c)(3) foundation. This is a non-profit foundation. A 501(c) foundation is a tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation or association. Section 501(c) of the United States Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 501(c)), provides that 26 types of nonprofit organizations are exempt from some federal income taxes. Sections 503 through 505 set out the requirements for attaining such exemptions. Many states refer to Section 501(c) for definitions of organizations exempt from state taxation as well.

The organization type is 501(c)(3) due to it being a nonprofit charity. Typical nonprofit organizations in this category include: Religious, Educational, Charitable, Scientific, Literary, Testing for Public Safety, to Foster National or International Amateur Sports Competition, or Prevention of Cruelty to Children or Animals Organizations.

Purpose and Overview

The Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation is a nonprofit organization supporting Minnesota servicemen and women returning from deployments around the world. The Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation was established to support soldiers adjusting to life with the physical and psychological wounds of war.

The Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) organization. All donations go to those heroes that serve our country and those that provide support to those heroes. Our current mission is focused on those with Minnesota connections.

Success Stories

Posted below are some of the stories of us helping a soldier.

Fixing a Vet's Home
Giving a Vet His Freedom Back
American Heroes Golf Classic
Home Makeover for Andover Veteran
Tricked Out Golf Cart for Vet
Donation to Toys 4 Military Kids
Hugo Citizen Newspaper Article

How can I help?

There are many ways you can help out the Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation. We currently are accepting donations. Donations to the Bryan McDonough Military Heores Foundation not only go to a great cause but are also a tax write off. This creates a win-win situation; You get the tax write off and also help our military heroes who need help. Aside from just donating, you also can sponsor or volunteer in our exciting fundraising benefits such as the American Heroes Golf Classic.

Check out the website for the American Heroes Golf Classic. It is full of interesting facts and also gives you the ability to sign up and volunteer. You can even sign up to sponsor many aspects of this golf tournament as well there.


Interested in donating?

Just click here to link to our Paypal page to donate

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The materials appearing on Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation's web site could include technical, typographical, or photographic errors. Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation does not warrant that any of the materials on its web site are accurate, complete, or current. Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation may make changes to the materials contained on its web site at any time without notice. Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation does not, however, make any commitment to update the materials.

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Toys 4 Military Kids

"Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation donated $2,500 to Toys4Military Kids, a program through the non-profit organization, Vessey Chapter AUSA. This program distributes Christmas gifts to the families of deployed Minnesotans".


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