 Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian Birdwell and his wife, Mel, are both
survivors of the terrorists’ attacks on September 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 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 the spiritual connections and integrity throughout
this incredibly difficult ordeal. Together, they communicate a compelling
message of enduring hope, unwavering faith, undying patriotism and unconditional
love.
Lt. Col. Brian D. Birdwell is a native of Fort Worth, Texas, and a 1984 graduate
of Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Graduating as the Distinguished Military
Student through the Army ROTC, he continued his service in the United States
Army at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. After subsequently serving in South Korea for 18
months, Brian returned to the states and met his future wife, Mel.
Originally from Davis, Oklahoma, Melva Collins first spotted Brian Birdwell, a
handsome 1st Lieutenant, in her brother-in-law’s military yearbook. She
corresponded with Brian for several months while he was in South Korea, and
after his return to the States, he and Melva kept in contact by phone. The
long-distance relationship became a face-to-face romance in 1986. They married
in May of 1987.
In 1989, the Birdwells moved with their new son, Matthew, to the Army base in
Kitzingen, Germany. While stationed in Germany, Brian was deployed for Operation
Desert Shield/Desert Storm and earned the Bronze Star for his action in the Gulf
War. Mel, meanwhile, volunteered with the American Red Cross and was employed as
its installation volunteer coordinator until June 1993.
After Mel and Brian returned to the US from Germany, Mel graduated with a
Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Kansas State
University and became coordinator for the senior nutrition program for
Leavenworth County, Kansas. When the Birdwells subsequently moved to Ft. Lewis,
Washington in 1997, Mel served as the congregate meal site manager for the
senior nutrition program run by the American Red Cross in Pierce County,
Washington.
In 1996, while assigned to duty at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, Brian completed his
Master’s degree at the University of Missouri. In 1998, he also helped lead the
Joint Task Force in support of relief operations in the aftermath of Hurricane
Mitch. At the time of the attack, Birdwell was serving on the Department of the
Army staff at the Pentagon as the Executive Officer to the Deputy Assistant
Chief of Staff for Installation Management. He was awarded the Purple Heart for
wounds received on September 11, 2001. He retired July 1, 2004 from the office
of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management. Upon his
retirement, Brian now serves as the president of Face the Fire Ministries, which
is a 501C3 non-profit which serves critical burn survivors and our nations
wounded servicemen and women.
Today, Mel fulfills her greatest calling yet—that of being a stay-at-home mom.
She also enjoys volunteering at their church, Immanuel Bible Church, in
Springfield, Virginia. In June of 2002, Mel was presented with the fourth annual
Robertson McQuilkin Award for Commitment to Marriage by FamilyLife, an
international family outreach organization at work in over 100 countries. She
was honored for her strong devotion to her 17-year marriage and for her
dedication to seeing her husband’s health fully restored. In April of 2004, the
Department of the Army recognized her 17+ years of service to the Army family
with the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal.
The Birdwells believe that Brian was spared for the purpose of telling others
about the Gospel, and they delight in sharing God’s love and sovereignty with
others. They currently reside in Manassas, Virginia, with teenage son Matthew
and a golden retriever, Hayley.
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