The Brinch Family

U.S. Army SPC Thomas Brinch comes from a family with a strong and proud military tradition. Both of his grandfathers served in World War II with his paternal grandfather fighting on the beaches of Normandy. Both his mother and father also served in the military.

Brinch joined the Army in 2004 immediately following high school. He wanted to carry on the family tradition and was particularly drawn to serve during wartime. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2006.

While there, his platoon was assigned to patrol the only road through the valleys in the region where they were based. During this operation, he was in a truck that was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED). While no one suffered from shrapnel injuries, everyone in the truck was rendered unconscious. Despite back and shoulder injuries – as well as hearing loss and severe headaches – Brinch refused anything more than shots to remain in Afghanistan and not be sent home.

Later in his deployment, his platoon was assigned to secure an extremely remote area that was thought to be a potential hiding place for Osama Bin Laden. It was there that his truck was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), giving him his third concussion.

He returned from his deployment in 2007 and was medically retired in 2010. During his service, he received numerous commendations including Combat Action Badge, National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal plus many more.

Following his return home, Brinch moved to Wisconsin and began pursuing his college degree at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Upon graduation, he moved to Texas where he married his wife, Lauren. Today, he and Lauren have a daughter and he is now preparing to pursue his Master’s degree in Marine Administration and Logistics through Texas A&M University at Galveston.

Operation FINALLY HOME is proud to team with Century Communities to build the Brinch family a new custom-built, mortgage-free home in San Antonio, Texas.