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9/11 survivors Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian and Mel Birdwell to speak at 14th burn survivors' reunion Oct. 29
CHAPEL HILL -- Two survivors of the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon are the keynote speakers for the 14th adult burn survivors' reunion, sponsored by the N.C. Jaycee Burn Center at UNC Hospitals.
Oct. 20, 2005
9/11 survivors Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian and Mel Birdwell to speak at 14th burn survivors' reunion Oct. 29
CHAPEL HILL -- Two survivors of the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon are the keynote speakers for the 14th adult burn survivors' reunion, sponsored by the N.C. Jaycee Burn Center at UNC Hospitals.
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian Birdwell and his wife, Mel, are both survivors of the terrorists' attacks on Sept. 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 more than 30 surgeries, intensive skin grafts and unbearably painful burn treatments, Mel was fighting to maintain the couple's faith and their family.
Because of their devotion to God and to each other, Brian and Mel, along with their son, remained solid in their spiritual convictions and integrity throughout this incredibly difficult ordeal. Together, they communicate a compelling message of enduring hope, unwavering faith, undying patriotism, and unconditional love.
On Saturday, Oct. 29, the Birdwells will attend "Celebration of Life," the 14th annual adult burn survivors' reunion sponsored by the N.C. Jaycee Burn Center. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education, off N.C. Highway 54 in Chapel Hill. The Birdwells' presentation will begin at 10 a.m. Afterwards they will remain for the event's duration.
The N.C. Jaycee Burn Center at UNC Hospitals provides specialized medical care and rehabilitative services to persons who have severe burns. The center is recognized nationally and internationally as an outstanding facility for burn care, research and education, and its staff is well prepared to handle the multitude of medical complications and emotional problems that can compound the tragedy of thermal injury.
The establishment and construction of the exceptional 21-bed facility came about through the support of many corporations, foundations and fire departments, a national sorority, the state of North Carolina and thousands of individuals and service organizations, including the North Carolina Jaycees, for whom the center is named.
There is no charge to attend the reunion. For more information, contact Shirley Massey, staff chaplain for the Burn Center in the Department of Pastoral Care, at (919) 966-4021 or e-mail her at smassey@unch.unc.edu.
INTERVIEW/PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES: Members of the news media are welcome to cover "Celebration of Life" or prepare stories in advance. For assistance with advance stories, please call Stephanie Crayton at (919) 966-2860. For on-site assistance Oct. 29, contact Anita Fields at (919) 216-9544 (pager).
Media contact: Stephanie Crayton, (919) 966-2860 or scrayton@unch.unc.edu
