Hampton Roads Concrete Advisory Council Provides Support for Iraq Veteran

By Jim Pratt, Hampton Roads Advisory Council, Vice-Chairman and J. Keith Beazley, Director of Industry Services, Central Virginia and Hampton Roads

The Hampton Roads Concrete Advisory Council members were contacted through Jimmy West of TCS Materials, Inc. regarding a group of volunteers looking for assistance providing a concrete driveway to provide access for Johnathan Bartlett, a 19-year-old Army veteran who lost both his legs in a land mine explosion while serving in Iraq. A committee from the Advisory Council met with Catherine Michele of the Mustard Seed Foundation who advised the committee of the special needs and coordinated efforts to assist Johnathan Bartlett.

At the time, Johnathan was rehabilitating at Walter Reed Hospital. After being fitted with two prosthetic legs, he contracted a flesh-eating virus in both stumps, which delayed his recovery. Catherine Michele became aware of Johnathan’s needs through Major General Quinlan, who met Johnathan at Walter Reed.

Upon discharge, Johnathan would be returning to his parent’s home in Norfolk. A visit to the house revealed that the community had already rallied to provide handicap access to the home by adding an access ramp and widening the doorways to allow wheel chair access along with other convenience features. There was, however, no driveway or sidewalk to facilitate ease of access from car to house.

Catherine informed us that although they had no experience, there were plenty of volunteers prepared to pour the drive and walk if someone could provide concrete. Our council offered to not only provide the concrete for this project at no charge, but to arrange the set up, place and finish work to be performed by a qualified contractor.

Preparation and set up labor was donated by Bayside Concrete of Virginia Beach and Croatan Concrete donated the place and finish labor. The Council wishes to thank to both contractors and their employees for their generosity and expertise in this phase of the project. Form materials and 20 yards of concrete were donated by the Hampton Roads Advisory Council and its membership for this worthy cause.

A reception was held in November at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk to give Johnathan the opportunity to thank the people who came together to help a neighbor who has given so much. He was very appreciative and announced that upon discharge from the Army, he will attend Old Dominion University. He said that the community’s efforts of generosity had inspired him to pursue and education that would allow him to help others.

This project has been one that seems so simple but is one that is bettering the life-style of an individual that has lost so much in the defense of freedom for us all. The Hampton Roads Advisory Council feels privileged to have been a part of this story.