Injured sergeant and his family have a new house in their future

Easing the transition
Injured sergeant and his family have a new house in their future
By LINDSAY WISE HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Aug. 21, 2009, 7:53AM

Andrew Beesley tried to join the Army at age 17, but the recruiter told him he was too young. He'd have to get his parents' permission before enlisting.

A few hours later, the North Shore High School student returned to the recruiting office flanked by two soldiers in fatigues. His mother is a command sergeant major, and his father is a colonel in the Army Reserve.

“Everyone didn't know whether to salute or stand at attention when my parents walked in,” Beesley said. “There weren't any problems after that.”

Beesley likes to joke that soldiering is in his blood. His parents and two older brothers have all served in Iraq or Afghanistan with the Army.

Beesley always figured he'd spend his entire career in the military, too, but the 22-year-old sergeant had to retire in March after being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

The adjustment to civilian life hasn't been easy for Beesley, but at least now he will no longer have to worry about keeping a roof over his children's heads.

FAMILY TRADITION OF SERVICE
The Beesley family in Iraq and Afghanistan:

Father: Col. James Beesley, served in Afghanistan

Mother: Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Maryeva Beesely, served two tours in Iraq

Brothers: Sgt. Michael Beesley, 28, recently returned from third tour in Iraq; Spc. Robert Nevius, 30, served in Afghanistan, scheduled to deploy to Iraq this fall; Sgt. Andrew Beesley, 22, served in Iraq

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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6581124.html