Staff Sgt. Robert Burkhammer saw the Afghan rebel throw the grenade at him, as if in slow motion. That's when his life changed for good. Burkhammer earned a Purple Heart that day but lost his memory, and the simple things he took for granted became invaluable.

For Burkhammer, that meant he not only forgot he suffered a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), but he also forgot he agreed to be interviewed for this article, he forgot subsequent attempts to reschedule, and he forgot that Valour-IT had helped him find ways to cope. 

 "I didn't create an appointment reminder," said the 11-year veteran, who was serving with Joint Base Lewis-McChord's 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team when he was hurt. "And, I still have complete blackouts - where in the middle of doing something I forget what I was doing and why. I have a ways to go and have good and not-so-good days, but the technology that Valour-IT provided helps tremendously."

Valour-IT (Information Technology) is a program run by Soldier's Angels, a volunteer-led nonprofit that provides aid and comfort to Servicemembers from the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard and their families in a variety of unique ways, from adopting a Servicemember to emergency aid to care in stateside military and Veterans Affairs facilities. Valour-IT helps provide voice-controlled and adaptive laptop computers and other technology such as iPads, personal GPS and video gaming systems to support Servicemembers while they are recovering from severe combat injuries.

"Since 2005, we've helped 6,000 Soldiers and we have a waiting list of 500 Servicemembers," said Lance Dowd, Soldiers' Angels director of development and the program manager for Valour-IT. "Because we run solely on donations, we host an annual online competition among branches of the military to raise much-needed funds."

Of the four virtual teams that competed in the friendly competition this year, Team Army won, raising a total of $8,394, followed by the Air Force with $3,882; the total amount raised was close to $25,000. The contest ran from July 4 to Labor Day, and proceeds will help equip severely wounded TBI and PTSD patients in managing short-term memory loss, time management skills, spatial and organization challenges and physical therapy support (including active-whole body games such as Wii Sports).

"The laptop (Valour-IT) gave me helped me stay in touch by Skyping the guys downrange and reaching out to long-distance family while I was recovering," Burkhammer said. "I'm now using the memory software to get back up to speed and also use it for school work."

He's currently enrolled in college and has 60 credits left to earn a business management degree.

Soldiers are usually nominated by DoD caseworkers, regional care providers, medical chain of commands and Valour-IT representatives at seven medical and veteran healthcare facilities, including the Madigan Healthcare System.

"We also have a ‘sponsor a wounded Soldier' program," said Dowd, who is a 24-year veteran and retired Marine. "Individuals or organizations can fund the cost of a laptop and continue to provide support and encouragement for Soldiers throughout recovery."

The whole mission of Valour-IT is to provide, "end-to-end comfort to Soldiers so they can transition successfully," he said. "The annual competition among Armed Forces personnel allows us to do just that."