Afflicted War Heroes would like to introduce our Mother’s Day Trip recipient, Leanne Stevens.
This photo was taken by “Picture A Hero” for Tori’s upcoming Deployment to Kuwait.
Left to right: Cpl Zacery Baisdell, Spc Tori Blaisdell holding her son, James, Step Dad, Jason Stevens, and Mom, Leanne Stevens.
Leanne will receive air travel and hotel accommodations near Walter Reed Army Medical Center on April 29 – May 1, 2011, to visit her son, Zacery Blaisdell, who was injured in Afghanistan in September 2010.
Leanne is the mother of 5 Children, 4 girls and one boy. Leanne has 3 children currently serving in the military, two biological and one step son. Her only son, Zac Blaisdell, is the youngest child who loves to hunt, fish, and play sports. He was born in Washington State and lived there until he was 10 years old. Zac moved to Minnesota with his mom and 3 sisters where he remained until he joined the military in August, 2008 when he completed his basic training at Ft. Benning along with Airborne school. He is the Airborne Infantry Man of the family. Zac was extremely fortunate to be stationed in Vicenza, Italy. When Zac received his deployment orders he called his mom from his duty station to tell her; “Mom I am being deployed to Afghanistan, don’t worry I will be fine”. Leanne did not get to see him before he left for his deployment in December 2009. Zac was injured in Afghanistan on September 1, 2010, exactly one month after turning 20 years old. Zacery was stationed in Wardak Providence in Afghanistan with the 173rd Airborne. He was returning to the COP when his MRAP was hit by an RPG. Zac lost an artery in his left leg below the knee, suffered nerve damage, and broke his knee cap in the same leg. He is blind in his right eye, his right hand had shrapnel embedded in his left pinky limiting use. Doctors are currently trying limb salvage on his left forearm. He lost his main artery, nerves and tendon and the radius bone was blown apart. They did experimental surgery and took his left ab muscle and did a revascularization of the muscle, viens, tissue. He can walk now, and use his right hand. Zac is still blind in his right eye, and has limited use of his left hand.
Leanne’s Middle child, Tori, joined the Minnesota Army National Guard in 2005 and completed her basic training at Fort Lenordwood. In May of 2010, Tori informed her mother that she was being deployed as well. Her original destination was Afghanistan which has since changed to Kuwait. She leaves May 26, 2011 to begin training for her deployment. Leanne, Jason, Jason’s mother, and siblings will care for Tori’s son while she is deployed.
Leanne Married Jason Stevens in June 2010. Leanne’s son, Zac, gave his mother away at the ceremony while he was on R&R leave. Jason’s oldest son, Casey, joined the Minnesota Army National Guard and completed his basic training at Fort Sill. He is the artillery man in the family. Casey was deployed in May 2009 and was in Kuwait for one year. He was lucky enough to be home on R&R when his daughter, Isabella, was born.
We would like to thank the Stevens and Blaisdell family for their service as a military family. Leanne’s father served in the military stateside during the Korean War and her brother was stationed in Germany in the early 1980’s. Jason was born on a military base in Texas and his late father served in Vietnam and passed away from cancer related to Agent Orange. Jason’s late brother served in the Minnesota reserves and passed away during a training session.
This photo was taken June 2010 just 10 weeks before Zac was injured.
Left to Right: Jasmine Stevens, Trina Blaisdell, Isabella Stevens (baby), Tara Blaisdell, Spc Tori Blaisdell, Spc Zacery Blaisdell, Leanne Stevens, Jadan Stevens, Jason Stevens, Friend of Family, Dave Boone (Brother is a wounded warrior), James Wiberg (baby), Spc Casey Stevens, Cody Stevens.
*Not pictured are Jason’s daughter, Jenny, Leanne’s Daughter, Erica, and Grandson, Lukas.
