On January 3, 2010 Robert was diagnosed with Stomach cancer and Testicular cancer. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy for both cancers through the VA health system. The doctors state that there is a strong possibility that if the cancer does not take to the treatment, he will have to undergo radiation and perhaps surgery to help remove the tumors. The tumors exist on top of his stomach, resulting in the tumors pushing down on top of the intestines, creating blood clots in his right leg and two pulmonary embolisms (Clots), in his lungs. He will not be able to undergo surgery or work because of the blood clot conditions. His right leg is swollen 3 times its regular size because of the clots.

Back in November of 2010, prior to the medical emergency, Robert was hit with the bad news that he and the shipping crew which he supervised were being laid off which has put him and his family in a challenging financial situation.

Robert is a fighter and a survivor, and he has vowed to not let the cancer take him. He has a very positive outlook on life and he is still planning on getting back to work in a few months and to get on with his life. A hard charging soldier at heart, Robert takes this challenge life has given him and is going to try to learn from it and conquer it!

Robert M. Brandt (a/k/a “Big Sarge”)

His Distinguished Military Honors Include:

Bronze Star
Army Commendation Medal (8th award)
Army Achievement Medal (10th award cluster)
Kuwait liberation and Iraq Campaign Service medal
Overseas Service Ribbon (6th Award Cluster)
Army Good Conduct Medal (6th Award Cluster)
National Defense Service Ribbon (2nd Award Cluster)
Korean Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Armed Forces Soldiers Medal
NCO Professional Development Ribbon (PLDC and ANOC)
Army Service Ribbon
United Nations Service Medal
United Nations Ribbon
Multinational Forces and Observers Ribbon
Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle, Pistol, AT4 and 50 cal Sniper
Driver and Mechanic Badge with Tbar
Silver German Armed Forces Efficiency Badge
Airborne and Air Assault insignias

Read more about Big Sarge and his family at http://www.supportbigsarge.com/

Honoring Our Military And Big Sarge

On FreedomsWings Blogtalkradio Show on 2/19/2011 2:00 PM 2 hour show http://www.blogtalkradio.com/freedomswings/2011/02/19/honoring-our-military-and-big-sarge

Special edition of the show today. Open lines for military members, serving and veteran.

We want to hear your stories and honor your service.

Special guests today include Pat Dollard of PatDollard.com who will speak of his experience embedded with the Marines during Ramadi operations in Iraq and also Jim Hanson (Uncle Jimbo) from the premier milblog, BlackFive.net , who will share some of his memories of serving our country.

Other than honoring our military, we have a special purpose today in fundraising for Blog Talk Radio host and 18 year veteran of the U.S. Army, Robert Brandt who is known to his friends and those at BTR as “Big Sarge”.

Big Sarge has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatment just two months after being laid off from his private sector job of many years.

We ask you to Support Big Sarge and his wife and three children through this rough time.

This is your chance to reach out and thank an Army veteran in a very special way at a time when he needs your help.

Big Sarge sacrificed for his country and our hope is that many of you will join us to help him in this new battle.

Check out http://supportbigsarge.com to find out more and donate.

5% of donations go to the Wounded Warrior Project at Big Sarge’s request.