Dearborn veterans will do their part to help a nonprofit organization for military burn victims with a Valentine’s Dance Saturday night.
The event is a fundraiser for the Sons of the Flag, a nonprofit organization founded by Navy Seal Ryan Parrott. Before his discharge from the military, Parrott lived in Dearborn. His mother continues to reside in the community and is a member of the Michigan Military Moms.
Ryan “Birdman” Parrott served eight years as a U.S. Navy SEAL in multiply combat deployments. He was manning a gun turret atop a Humvee in Iraq enemy territory in 2005 when the vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. A flash fire threw him burned from the Humvee and left the other three in his team severely wounded.
The experience spurred the creation of Sons of the Flag.
“I know it is my duty to successfully carry out this mission with honor and integrity for those who have survived traumatic burn injuries,” Parrott said.
The Sons of the Flag mission is to advance research and development of cutting edge technology for burn survivors.
The Sons of the Flag foundation is located in Texas and is staffed by veterans from all eras.
Sons of the Flag is committed to supporting military, first responder, and civilian burn survivors by providing funding for innovative research. They bring together passionate community leaders, pioneering physicians, experienced military service members, dedicated first responders and purposeful civilians to complete their mission.
They support physicians performing advanced clinical trials aimed at improving methods in burn surgery, looking at cutting edge research in skin rehabilitation for burn survivors. The goal is to accelerate the process of testing leading technologies, push them into circulation for immediate use and, thereby aiding the recovery of burn survivors and the lives of their families.
The event will be held at the American Legion Post 364, located at 3001 S. Telegraph Road. The dance begins at 7 p.m.
Entry to the dance is $7, and there will be a cash bar.
