Lorna Illerbrunn

As a former U.S. Army medical evacuation pilot and nurse practitioner, Lorna Illerbrunn understands both the military and medical worlds. She says these experiences have been essential to surviving the stress and complications of caregiving, and now she is determined to ensure the path is easier for future caregivers.

Lorna’s husband Garrett is a retired Army veteran and Apache (AH-64) helicopter pilot. Garrett served for more than 20 years with multiple deployments. Garrett and Lorna met in Afghanistan while deployed. In 2023, he was severely injured during a drone attack in Erbil, Iraq, while serving as a Standardization Pilot, mentoring instructors and advising leadership. 

Garrett’s injuries are extensive and life-altering, including a severe traumatic brain injury, quadriplegia, chronic pain, cognitive decline, depression, and hearing loss. He is currently in a long-term care facility due to seizures and other complications, and he faces more surgeries ahead.

Since his injury, Garrett’s care has taken the family around the world—from Germany and Washington, D.C., to Virginia, North Carolina, and now New Hampshire—making continuity of care and coordination of services especially difficult. Lorna and Garrett are raising their 10-year-old son, Tucker, who has shown resilience as he adapts to these changes. Lorna has homeschooled him to provide stability, while also encouraging his involvement in activities.  

Lorna is preparing to reenter the workforce, ideally through the VA or another healthcare setting. She will prioritize a position that allows her to continue caring for Garrett and being a present mother to her son.  

Lorna is also looking forward to the difference she can make as a Dole Caregiver Fellow. She says, “Supporting military and veteran caregivers is essential to our country's values and the current functioning of our military system. If current service members and veterans can see that even if the absolute worst happens, they and their families are still acknowledged, taken care of, and treated with dignity, it will strengthen the resolve to serve.”