Veterans Coming Home

“Many have made the ultimate sacrifice, including more than 150 women who have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan – patriots whose sacrifices show that valor has no gender.” President Barack Obama, Jan. 24, 2013. Nancy Lacore, USN Reservist and mother of six embarks on a 160 mile run, honoring the 160 US military women who died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Chuck Rotenberry’s scars are invisible to the average person, but they are very real to Chuck and his family. Like millions of veterans, Chuck suffers with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Richard Casper wanted to do something to assist other veterans transitioning from service to civilian life, so he founded Creativets. With the help of professional singer/songwriters, Richard uses music and arts as a means of therapy for veterans. Creativets takes veterans to Nashville, where they share their war time experience with talented musicians, who help them tell their story through song.

Sharaya Martin is one of thousands of veterans who has successfully transitioned from serving her country to serving her community as a volunteer. For so many veterans, the mission to improve the lives of others continues each and everyday through volunteering.

Dan Hallock’s journey took this veteran from drug abuse and homelessness to complete restoration. Dan attributes much of his turn around to his relationship with VetsHouse and Executive Director of the Virginia Beach Program, William “Smitty” Smith.

While serving his country in Saudi Arabia, Airman Dwayne Parker lost vision in his right eye. Like thousands of our servicemen and women wounded in action in Iraq and Afghanistan, Dwayne returned home to a life filled with challenges. For Dwayne, frustration and depression soon followed. It wasn’t until he got involved with Adaptive Sports that things started to turn around. Now he has his own non-profit to help other wounded warriors learn new skills and gear up for competition.

Kendall Goodin’s transformation from military service to college student had its challenges, but thanks to the Military Connection Center at Old Dominion University, Kendall was able to learn the ins and outs of college life. Kendall now helps other veterans as they transition from active duty to higher education.

Michael Crockett is one of thousands of servicemen and women who’ve been asked to leave the military due to downsizing and sequestration. Michael had hoped to dedicate 20 to 30 years of his life to serving his country, but like so many, his dream of retiring from military service will go unfulfilled.

14% of America’s Veterans struggle with depression and the reasons for it are many. Some, like Nik Miller and Laurie Wood, battled with depression after debilitating injuries forced them to transition from the life they’d always known to a brand new way of doing things. The two veterans teamed up with Chuck Conley and Team River Runner where they learned the skills needed to become champion paddlers with a whole new outlook on life.

WHRO discusses the mission of Blankets for the Homeless, as they go out 4 nights a week delivering 50 blankets and more, to an ignored community. On any given night, the 501(c)(3) provides blankets, coats, hoodies, jeans, clothes, hats, gloves, shoes, back packs, tents, tarps, toiletries, etc., & lunches to the homeless.

For the past six years, the Puller Clinic at the College of William and Mary Law School has assisted hundreds of veterans with their disability claims. This story follows two Peninsula men who have utilized the clinic’s services since it opened in 2008. Under the supervision of attorneys, law students have helped the men successfully file and receive the benefits that they so rightfully deserve.

Hampton Roads has long had a commitment to making sure that military and veterans have an opportunity to find jobs. Here, it’s understood that veterans offer a unique source of trained and motivated workers with proven ability. In July, CivilianJobs held a military job fair. The event provided candidates effective ways to present their experience and skills to potential employers.