A Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician, Morris was the first in line to detect improvised explosive devices – more commonly referred to as IEDs. 

He would later become only the fifth quadruple amputee to survive his injuries at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. 

Given that my own brother was an Army EOD tech who also deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan around the same years as Taylor, I was very familiar with Taylor’s story and intimately aware of the risks associated with the job. 

While my brother was deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the movie “The Hurt Locker” was released in June 2009. Starring Jeremy Renner, the film focuses on the experiences of an elite U.S. Army EOD team during the Iraq War, following the intense and perilous work of the soldiers during combat.

I watched it with my jaw dropped and an uneasy feeling in my stomach. 

The next time I talked to my brother, I demanded to know if the movie was accurately depicting his experiences. Was he disarming car bombs with his bare hands? He chuckled and simply said, “It’s a good movie, but it’s made for Hollywood.” (Was he just trying to assuage my fears? Maybe. The point is that it was a tough movie to watch while he was deployed.)

Call it sibling bias, but EOD techs are some of the best of the best and often the unsung heroes of the military. 

Trained to disarm explosive devices, they are called upon in the most dangerous situations, often with only moments to spare. The hazards they face are extreme, from IEDs in conflict zones to unexploded ordnance dating back to previous wars. The work requires nerves of steel, meticulous precision, and an acceptance of the inherent risks involved.

The history of EOD dates back to World War II when the need for specialists who could safely defuse bombs and mines became critical. Since then, EOD technicians have played a crucial role in every conflict, saving countless lives by neutralizing the deadliest threats on the battlefield. Their work is vital, yet it comes with a heavy toll. These experts must make split-second decisions while under intense stress, often in life-threatening situations. The consequences of mistakes can be catastrophic, and the rate of injuries and amputations among EOD technicians is notably high compared to other military roles.

That’s why having a community standing alongside them is so crucial.

Founded with the mission to improve the quality of life for EOD personnel and their families, the EOD Warrior Foundation offers a network of support that extends far beyond the battlefield. From funding prosthetics and adaptive technologies to providing scholarships for the children of fallen EOD warriors, the foundation ensures that no one in the EOD community is left behind.

The risks EOD technicians face are immense, but their bravery is matched by the dedication of the EOD Warrior Foundation.

Here’s how it all started:

In 1969, the EOD Memorial Foundation was established to maintain the EOD Memorial Wall, which has become a prominent part of their history. The Wounded EOD Foundation also served the community, supporting wounded EOD warriors and their families. The two organizations merged on March 1, 2013, to be inclusive of the entire EOD community.

The mission is straightforward: to improve the quality of life for the EOD family by providing financial relief, scholarship opportunities, and physical, social, and emotional support through retreats and family days. In addition, EODWF ensures that the fallen are remembered and honored by maintaining the EOD Memorial and Remembrance Garden, located on the grounds at the EOD School on Eglin Air Force Base.

To date, they’ve provided north of $350,000 in graduate and undergraduate scholarships, along with offering a variety of programs and services. They’ve also become adept at identifying gaps and creating opportunities to address them.

“In Alaska, there was an EOD tech who, unfortunately, slipped and fell to his death,” explained Patricia Adelmann, Development Officer at the EOD Warrior Foundation. “How do you deal with the death of a 26-year-old who died in an accident? This person did all of this training and had committed to serving their country and then this tragedy occurs, and it’s difficult to grapple with that.

“So we created a grief support program for groups of people dealing with grief – whether service-related or an accident like that one – and helping them work through those situations in a six-week program across the country.”

This program is open to everyone in the EOD community, including active duty and families, Veterans and families, and Gold and White Star families. The EODWF defines family very broadly and includes siblings, partners, stepchildren, caretakers, and team members.

Because it’s a new program, the EODWF was in need of some additional support to fund it. Thanks to the generosity of the Chive Charities donor community, we provided a $5,000 grant to help get it off the ground. The foundation anticipates serving 25 EOD families with that support this year, though the development and training associated with the program will have a long-lasting impact for years to come.

But that’s not all. 

2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the first female EOD technician graduating from EOD School. Today, EOD has multiple female service members across all four main branches of the military, and three female EOD techs have been killed in action or while performing EOD duties and are recognized on the EOD Memorial Wall.

To mark this major anniversary, the EODWF is kicking off a new initiative, hosting multiple programs and events specifically focused on supporting active duty and Veteran female EOD techs. These events include a Songwriting: With Soldiers multi-day retreat (female EOD Techs only); a 50 Years Celebration event (open to all, free for active duty EOD students and reduced fee for non-EOD active duty); and female peer & mentor support gatherings across the country (female EOD Techs only). 

Our Chive Charities donors made it possible to fund a $2,500 grant to sponsor the celebratory event and impact more EOD techs and their families. All in all, we were able to provide $7,500 in support of the EOD Warrior Foundation and its mission.

EOD technicians are the unsung heroes who face unimaginable risks to protect others. With your support, the EOD Warrior Foundation can continue to honor their sacrifices and provide the care and support they deserve. And from an EOD family, I can personally attest to the impact your donations have on these brave men and women and those who love them.

For Taylor Morris, my brother, our long-time supporter and contributor EODOtter (see you in the comments!), and the countless EOD techs and their families, thank you for supporting their service and sacrifice. To learn more about the EOD Warrior Foundation, make a donation, or get involved, please visit eodwarriorfoundation.org. 

P.S. We can’t do this without people like you. Join our donor family by signing up for a monthly membership of $10, $25, $50, $100, or even $200 and up, and help us support more Veterans, first responders, military families, and individuals with a rare medical diagnosis. It doesn’t take much – just you. DONATE HERE.