Jimmie Buford, II PTSD & Legacy Fund

Here is what PTSD looks like. It's not always combat related or developed in the theatre of war.

Jimmie Buford II was a gregarious, lovable, intelligent, loud, obnoxious, funny, smelly-bad gas having (if he ever stayed with you, know know this...lol) big hearted noise box and I loved him with my whole heart! He was the oldest of 3; William James Buford (dec) and Jocelyn Ann Buford McClure (that's me) were his siblings. He was also uncle to Phillip McClure Jr. (Kelly), uncle/godfather to Antoine McClure (Robin) and great uncle to Raquel, Sierra and Gabriella.

Jimmie passed suddenly when he was cleaning up his brand new home in Martinsburg, WV. He had just moved in and was apparently scrubbing the tub/shower when he lost his balance and struck his head. He was found with the hot water running and wearing his rubber gloves. Though tragic and heartbreaking, to me, it's fitting that he passed while doing to his new home what he was doing to the home of his soul -- cleaning up.

Jimmie loved his family and friends passionately and was working very hard to make certain that his relationships were in a good place. He was always very creative and loved crafts of all kinds. He worked well with his hands and since the time he was a child building go-carts with our dad, he would always find a way to create art. The last message I received from him was asking about the color of the latest bunny bank he'd make for his newest great niece. See, he had already made bunny banks for Quelquel and Sierra and he wanted to make sure he didn't duplicate the colors in the one he would make to give to little GiGi for Christmas.

That's the way he was with the people in his life...though there were commonalities in the ways that we interacted with and experienced Jimmie, he has made a unique and indelible impression on each of us individually.

Jimmie's greatest loves were his family...his son, myself, his nephews and his great nieces were a great source of pride for him. He had recently expressed a desire to help his nephews begin college funds for each of his great nieces. As for his son, AJ, Jimmie recently told his me that, "AJ's in love." He wanted desperately to be a blessing to the family his son would have, helping them to get off to a good start.

And that, folks, is what brings us here. The money from the Jimmie Buford II legacy fund will be used to help start those college funds for his great nieces, help his son get off to a good start with his family and finally to help those at the Martinsburg, WV Veteran's Hospital who helped him find his way. We'll be giving a donation to the Veterans who suffer from PTSD, helping to raise awareness that whether you're unloading the body bags of fallen soldiers or in the heat of combat, the effects of war take a toll that last long past the actual experience.

Jimmie would be honoured to have his name remebered as a contributor to the lives of others. I've already heard numerous stories of how helpful Jimmie was to his comrades in West Virginia, and he would love nothing more than for his name to be associated with a campaign of giving and sharing. The size of your donation doesn't matter, if you give from your heart, it will do what it's supposed to.

Thank you...