Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian Birdwell and his wife, Mel, are both survivors of the terrorists' attacks on September 11, 2001. After hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 collided into the Pentagon, Brian was thrown to the ground and engulfed in flames. Of the burns that consumed 60 percent of his body, nearly half were third degree. While Brian was fighting for his life and undergoing 30+ surgeries, intensive skin grafts and unbearably painful medical care, Mel was fighting to maintain the couple's faith and their family. They believe that Brian was spared for the purpose of telling others about the Gospel, and they delight in sharing God's love and sovereignty with others.
Lt. Col. Brian D. Birdwell is a native of Fort Worth, Texas, and a 1984 graduate of Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Graduating as the Distinguished Military Student through the Army ROTC, he continued his service in the United States Army at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. After subsequently serving in South Korea for 18 months, Birdwell returned to the States and met his future wife, Mel.
Brian was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on September 11, 2001. After serving his country for 20 years, Brian retired and he and Mel founded Face the Fire Ministries, Inc. The ministry was established to assist burn survivors and wounded servicemen and women and their families.
Brian and Mel, have one son, Matt, and a golden retriever, Hayley. They reside in Granbury, Texas.
For more information, contact Vicki Andrews at vandrews@tbbmedia.com or 800-927-0517 ext. 110.
