“I joined because of 9/11. The military had been on the radar, my brother had wanted me to join, and initially I said no. But as a New Yorker, when the World Trade Center was hit, I joined right away. I deployed in support of the Global War on Terror in 2003 to the Horn of Africa. I separated from service in 2005. Then, a few months before my term was up, I was recalled to the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) and deployed with the Texas National Guard in 2010 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I got blown out of my socks by indirect fire. The rocket hit about fifty feet from me. Sent me face-first into the lava rock we put down to lessen the dust when the helicopters landed.

Separating was hard. It was hard at home, but I was committed to remaining a good husband and father. I also found help that worked for me. Finding help is like a fingerprint, it’s a niche. For me, that was Merging Vets and Players (MVP) and the Vet Center. The counselors at the Vet Center were great to me post-service. When I got back, I was going through a rough time, but I found out about the Vet Center and it fit me. The world is gonna keep on turning, so you might as well keep walking. Keep walking, keep pushing. “