HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (ACCNS) -- More than 15 years ago, he spent 10 weeks in a hospital while the burns covering more than a third of his body healed.
Today, Airman 1st Class Brandon Lee, an aircraft armament systems specialist with the 388th Equipment Maintenance Squadron here, volunteers as a burn camp counselor and shares stories about his ordeal with children who are recovering as he did.
When I was four, my brother and I were out burning some trash in the backyard, said Airman Lee. We couldnt get the fire started, so my brother brought out some gas. After he got the fire started he left the gas next to the fire.
I was playing with the fire using a stick, and I thought the gas was dirty water. The gas exploded, and I got gas all over me. I tried to stop, drop and roll like they teach you, but the fire wouldnt go out. My mom came running out and put me out with her hands.
Airman Lee endured multiple reconstructive surgeries to recover from the burns. He wore pressure garments to help stretch his skin.
When you get burned you get real thick skin, he said. The garments help get you back to normal so you can still work all your joints.
Several years after his recovery, Airman Lee began going to Camp Oo-U-La, a burn camp for children between the ages of six and seventeen who have sustained serious burns and have spent four or more days in the hospital for treatment.
The Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation started Camp Oo-U-La in 1993. Oo-U-La derives from the Cherokee Indian words for cool running water, according to the foundations Web site.
Everyone who works there is a volunteer, said Airman Lee. Its mainly firefighters, nurses and some doctors.
I went to the camp for nine years, so now I want to give something back, he added. Im going as a counselor in training because Im not 21 yet. I basically get to do everything counselors do, but I wont be in charge of the kids.
Airman Lee said he volunteers to help the children with their self esteem at school and at home.
This is a great opportunity for Airman Lee to get out and talk to people about the experiences hes gone through, said Master Sgt. John Shupp, 388th EMS armament flight superintendent. I think hell really be able to help others who are going through what he went through. Hes a great guy to have around, and considering what hes been through, that really says a lot about him.
Airman Lee is an inspiration to me as well, said Lt. Col. Ken Moore, 388th EMS commander. Hes a model Airman in the 388th EMS Armament Flight, and his positive outlook is infectious. His commitment to this cause is shown by the fact that hes been volunteering at this camp for several years now.
Airman Lee said he will be helping the camp with barbecues, dances, water games and special events.
They do all kinds of stuff at the camp, he said. One time we had a hot air balloon ride. People and businesses from around Atlanta donate things for the kids. There was a big limousine company that donated about 50 limos for us to ride around town in.
Airman Lee said he would like to volunteer every year if he can.
The camp helped me deal with the surgeries I went through, he said. And, having other friends who got burned, and being able to talk to them helped me psychologically. When you know people like you, who like you for who you are and not for how you look, it really helps the kids out.
When you come to the camp, you feel like your home, he added. From day one, when the counselors come, they dont look at you like youre burned, and they dont ask you how you it happened. They just act like youre normal, right off the bat. Thats a neat feeling. I want to give the kids that feeling as well.
Airman Lees selfless and gallant actions will help many children burn victims who are going through the pain and suffering through which Lee himself suffered, said Colonel Moore. Perhaps one of these children will see that, despite what hes been through, Airman Lee pressed on and became successful in life, and be motivated to do the same.
USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)