Fundraiser Held For Oklahoma Soldier Injured In Pakistan

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- Tulsans enjoyed a chili and hotdog dinner Saturday to raise money for a soldier, badly injured in a bombing in Pakistan in February. 

A member of the 82nd Airborne Division stationed out of Ft. Bragg, Sergeant Legrand Strickland sustained extensive injuries from an improvised explosive device on February 2 on the Pakistan/Afghanistan border. Two soldiers lost their lives in the blast.

Strickland's injuries included traumatic brain injury, lacerations to his liver and kidney and fractures to his jaw, hip and spine. After he was stabilized, Strickland was flown to San Antonio, where he began a series of operations at Brooke Army Medical Center. Both his legs have been amputated, and he has some hearing loss. He is receiving intensive therapy at the Center for the Intrepid at Fort Sam Houston.

Doctors say he still has several surgeries ahead of him.

"We wanna help the Strickland family because they are adored in this community. And, it was just such an easy thing for everybody to come together and do this. And, this is the biggest potluck chili cook-off we've seen in the history of Tulsa because this is such a loved family," said Cristina Smith-Williams, event co-chair.

The News On 6 is told Strickland is doing well in physical therapy and is being fitted for prosthetics next week.

3/5/2010  Related Story: Oklahoma Soldier Recovering After Roadside Bomb

Saturday's fundraiser was organized by Strickland friends from Zarrow International, Memorial Drive Church of Christ, as well as Park Plaza Church of Christ volunteers.