Infinite Hero Foundation to present two grants at NHRA Fallnationals
Two worthy military veteran groups will receive significant grants through the Infinite Hero Foundation this weekend at the AAA Texas NHRA Fallnationals outside of Dallas, Texas.
The key figures instrumental in this presentation couldn't be any prouder.
Houston native and retired Navy Lt. Morgan Luttrell will receive a pair of $100,000 grants made possible by the Infinite Hero Foundation and presented by Terry Chandler, the New Mexico-based philanthropist, who funds 100 percent of the Infinite Hero Foundation Funny Car driven by past NHRA champion Jack Beckman.
The grants will be made to the ReBOOT program (BootCampaign.org) and the Airpower Foundation (AirPowerFoundation.com).
Luttrell, director of development for ReBOOT, sustained a major brain injury on a training mission in 2009 and has since committed his civilian life to helping to combat brain injuries and their affects.
Luttrell was aboard a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter which crashed into a combat support ship, killing one and injuring eight, including him. He remembers falling out of the helicopter and hitting the top deck of the ship and being blown to another deck when the helicopter exploded.
His back was broken in six places with major damage done to his spinal cord. He was in a body cast for about six months. He also suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and endured sharp headaches and dizziness for months.
Luttrell was deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan during his 14-year military career and, since being granted a medical discharge in 2014, returned to Texas where he discovered the Center for Brain Health, part of the University of Texas at Dallas School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences where he was treated for his traumatic brain injury.
Luttrell was so inspired by the inner workings of the facility, he began a course to earn his Master's degree, and earned a doctorate degree as a cognitive scientist at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Chandler not only funds the Infinite Hero team but also the Make-A-Wish Funny Car driven by Tommy Johnson Jr. Neither organization contributes any funding to the teams.
Chandler's program has raised nearly $500,000 for Infinite Hero and has brought tremendous awareness to some of the most difficult issues facing returning U.S. military heroes and families.
This season, Beckman has raised more than $120,000 through the sale of special military "challenge coins." He carries at least 10 on each run down the track and then personalizes each for fans making a $100 donation to Infinite Hero.
The presentation will take place on Friday (Oct. 14) at 3:30 p.m. during the AAA Texas NHRA Fallnationals in the Texas Motorplex's Champion's Club
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Bobby Bennett is the Publisher/Editor of CompetitionPlus.com, a leading independent online drag racing magazine, since 1999. For the latest in dragster news worldwide, visit www.competitionplus.com or follow on Twitter @competitionplus
