Purple heart
Combat Action Ribbon
Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon (w2 Bronze Service Stars)
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan
Rifle Qualification Badge (Sharpshooter).

Our son Adrian made the choice to serve his country as a United States Marine following his high school graduation. He was deployed to Afghanistan following his training. On August 24,2011, at age 19, Adrian was gravely wounded by an IED and medivacked from the battlefield, eventually being transferred to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda, MD. Adrian lost both legs in the explosion.

At WRNMMC, Adrian underwent a total of 10 surgeries before his legs were infection-free and the wounds could be closed. He was hospitalized for six weeks, during which time at least one his family members was always by his side. Our son is a true Marine; his positive spirit inspired everyone who met him.

Adrian was awarded the Purple Heart by Marine Corps Commandant James Amos.

In mid-October, Adrian finally left the hospital and transferred to the out-patient facility to begin his true recovery back to full health. He began working with physical therapist Gregory Loomis and the WWNMMC prosthetics team, training with his new legs for hours every day. His recovery advanced at record speed. Adrian’s motivation never flagged: all he wanted was to get better so he could rejoin his unit, Marines 1/6 Bravo Company.

Our daughter Kira joined Adrian in his out-patient quarters to be his “NMA” – Non-Medical Assistant – until he regained his independence. Kira gave up a year of college so she could be there for the baby brother she has always loved. Kira continued her education here in NJ after her brother regained his independence. She graduated with honors from Rutgers University and currently works as a mechanical engineer. Our family is overjoyed that in a few months Kira and her husband Sean will welcome their first child.

Finally, in March 2012, Adrian was transferred back to his unit, recently returned from their Afghanistan deployment to their home base at Camp Lejeune. He remained with his unit until August 2012, when he opted for a medical retirement and returned to his NJ farm home for a few brief weeks before leaving for college. Adrian received a meritorious promotion to Corporal in June 2012 and is the recipient of multiple awards, including Marine of the Quarter.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports first responders, military personnel, and their families, founded in honor of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller who died on 9/11. Its main programs provide mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with children, build specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, and offer housing and support services to homeless veterans.

Smart homes: Builds mortgage-free, specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, which include features like automated doors, voice-activated controls, and wider doorways to accommodate wheelchairs.

Veteran support: Creates permanent residences for homeless veterans, called “Veteran Villages,” and provides them with support services like mental health care, legal assistance, and job training.

Origin: The foundation was started by the Siller family after Stephen Siller, a firefighter, drove to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel in his gear and ran to the World Trade Center on 9/11, where he died.

New York Jets beat the Cleveland Browns 27-20, shout-out to Tunnel To Towers Foundation, Adrian Simone and the whole staff for an amazing and fantastic day.

Interview with Adrian Simone