Eric Lowe is pushing valiantly toward his goal of independence.
The 35-year-old Cherry Hill resident spent two years in the special forces of the Marine Corps before suffering a brain injury that affects his memory and judgment skills.
Now, through a year-old program, Lowe has an ambition: Living in his own apartment once more.
Lowe was one of several veterans from all armed forces branches awarded with the Camden County Service Medal in an hour-long ceremony on Friday, Nov. 2 at the Cherry Hill Public Library.
“I feel happy,” Lowe said.
“But I feel like I’m overwhelmed,” he quickly added. “I didn’t join the military to get awards.”
Rev. Floyd L. White III, director of Camden County Veteran’s Affairs, and Retired Lt. Col. Alfred Bancroft presented the medals to 10 veterans with brain injuries in the program, as well as 12 veterans on Bancroft’s staff.
“These brave men and women who have proudly worn the uniform of our country are being honored for their dedication to our nation and their undying patriotism,” said Freeholder Ed McDonnell, liaison to the Camden County Veterans Affairs Office in a statement.
The veterans, according to the release, served between 1964 and 2009 as specialists, privates, seamen and sergeants in Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Staff member Dr. Marc Gramatges came to Bancroft through his education process.
Gramatges served as a staff sergeant in the Air Force, focusing on mental health, from crisis and suicide interventions to counseling and evaluations.
Bancroft, he said, has a “very client-centered approach.”
With brain injuries, he said, a trauma in one area can affect certain actions, while a hit in another area can have a completely different response from the person.
“Hopefully with events like this, we can raise more awareness for veteran’s services,” he said.
Bancroft President and CEO Toni Pergolin gave the opening and closing remarks at the service, extending her appreciation for the courage of the veterans.
“We are forever indebted to you,” Pergolin said.
U.S. Representative Jon Runyan of New Jersey’s third district said that America is only a great nation through the sacrifices of service men and women.
“Veteran’s Day is every day,” he said.
Dr. Cynthia Boyer is the executive director for Bancroft’s brain rehabilitation program, named the Assisted Living for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury Pilot Program.
Bancroft is a “participating contractor,” according to a 2011 release, through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
At the ceremony, Boyer took the time to honor the heroes and “sheroes” — the behind the scenes support that keeps “home fires burning.”
“This was really inspiring,” Boyer said.
According to Bancroft, veterans with traumatic brain injuries can apply for admission into the program due to any cause sustained during or after their time in the service.
The veteran must be “willing to participate in rehabilitation, medically and psychologically stable and free from active substance abuse,” reads the document.
Dr. Karen Lindgren works with Lowe in the program as he recovers from his injury.
“She helps me a lot,” he said. “I’m hanging in there.”
The two always talk, joke and have fun together, he said, adding, “She’s like a second mom.”
One of Lowe’s strengths, Lindgren said, is recognizing where he needs improvement and actively working to change the behavior.
Once, Lowe said, a friend expressed that he was hungry and asked for money. Lowe, in turn, handed over his debit card, never seeing the card again.
Usually, he said, he would not have done that.
When all medals were presented, Pergolin stood and said she saw smiles grace each face.
“It was really nice to look you in the eyes and say thank you,” she said. “We’re honored to have you as part of our family.”
For Lowe, as he moves forward in his life, there is one certainty.
“God blessed me and I’m here,” he said.
More information
Learn more about Bancroft’s brain injury rehabilitation program, an approach that has been helping veterans lead independent lives for a year, by visitinghttp://www.bancroft.org/brain-injury/ or call (800) 774–5516.
