Posted on Apr 11, 2017
What's Your Motivation for helping Veterans?
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Victory for Veterans/Veteran March on America do it for soldiers/veterans like SGT Michael Thorin, one of our very own RallyPoint Members and a very close friend of mine! He means the world to me and others here at VFV/VMOA! Send out a Big Prayer Request for Michael in his upcoming Lung Transplant! The Power of Prayer is Strong! It's Strongest here on RallyPoint!
I work hard for veterans in memory of my father-in-law who committed suicide on December 8, 2015 and men like Sgt Michael Thorin that are fighting the good fight to stay alive!
Here is his story!
"It is comforting to know that the VA and UAB are working together to build a better me. I thought the most I would be worth in this life was linked to my SGLI. However, between the oxygen, power chair, lifts, stair lifts, braces, medicines, concentrators, testing equipment, canes, crutches BIPAPs, CPAP's, nebulizers, hearing aids, glasses, and other assorted equipment and supplies, I feel that I have far outgrown the SGLI payout.
I've got no complaints. I have 6 wheels to get around on now. My corrected vision is now better than over 3/4 of the population of the United States (I made this statistic up, so just let me have this moment), with my hearing aids I can hear more than most, I have more oxygen which is purer than any other person I know, and I can answer my phone through my hearing aids. The VA is essentially turning me into Steve Austin from the 6 Million Dollar Man! Why complain, at the very least I feel like I am worth a million dollars now, even if my health doesn't concur with my assessment." SGT Michael Thorin
I joined the Army at 17, did a split op program, we to Basic Training in the summer between my junior and senior year in high school. Graduated, spent 4 on active duty, then got out and into the Alabama Army National Guard in 1995, and began my fire service career.
After 9/11, like many others, we started getting deployed regularly. I participated in many deployments, both Title 32 and Title 10. My Title 10 deployments were to Fort Stewart in 2003, Afghanistan 2003, Anniston Army Depot in 2004, and Iraq in 2005 - 2006.
While I was actually stationed at CSC Navstar, Kuwait (Iraqi and Kuwaiti border), our mission was convoy security and route reconnaissance. Route recon roughly covered the area of Safwan to Kuwait. Convoy security took us as far south as Basra, and as far north at Mosul. We made many trips to Fallujah, al Taqaddum, Balad, Tallil, Taji, Scania, FOB Orion, Tikrit, Mosul, Basra, and BIAP.
During this time, we operated in M1114 up armored HMMWV's. Of course, they were better than the "hillbilly armor" that was so prevalent prior to the M1114's, so in that respect we were very fortunate.
During this year and a half deployment, we would spend most of our time on the road. Making trips to all of these FOB's and COP's kept us hopping, and we were running op's sometimes as long as 17 hours at a time. During my time in country, our HMMWV would be hit 3 separate times by IED's. Of these times, none led to any immediate injuries, other than a staved up back and a terrible desire to light something up. We endured, however, and there is no doubt in my mind that God had His hand of protection over us.
While in Iraq, I developed a chronic cough, hypertension and severe nausea. I went to the TMC once and was put on bed rest for 3 days and issued out some Ranger Candy. Of course, it fixed absolutely nothing, so I just did what I knew best and avoided the TMC from that day on and sucked it up and moved on. Life is hard, you can own it or you can let it on you; the choice is ALWAYS as simple as that.
After returning home, I went back to work in the fire service. During this entire time, I was battling the cough, hypertension, back pain, chronic nausea, severe joint pain, muscle pains, pain in my long bones (femur and humerus), and of course, PTSD. I reported these symptoms to my regular doctor, and he said I was too young to be having these problems, so he labeled it "exercise induced asthma" and gave me an albuterol inhaler. Needless to say, that was not the cure.
Presently, after several tests, I have been diagnosed with a myriad of medical problems. Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome, Constrictive Bronchiolitis Obliterans, Cardiac asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, fibromyalgia, and congestive heart failure. There is no good prognosis for any of these, and a lung transplant is the best option. After consulting with the doctors, they told me my heart may not be strong enough to stand the procedure, so now we are being evaluated for a heart transplant too.
We have lost our house, cars, and as for me, a bit of my dignity and self-respect because "I am man, listen to me Our lives are only temporary, and I refuse to sit around my house idly and
Having said that, I have no regrets.
My life has taken me down many winding roads. My two goals in life were to be a firefighter and a soldier. I nailed them, and if there is one thing in this life that I proud of, it's my lineage.
Finally, on April 1, 2016, I passed out on our job tasks at the fire department, and awoke to find two brothers standing beside me. I have been blessed to find a group of people; on here at RallyPoint and Victory for Veterans. Thanks
CPL Roger CopelandSPC Amy Harris]Joni Kelley(Join to see)
I work hard for veterans in memory of my father-in-law who committed suicide on December 8, 2015 and men like Sgt Michael Thorin that are fighting the good fight to stay alive!
Here is his story!
"It is comforting to know that the VA and UAB are working together to build a better me. I thought the most I would be worth in this life was linked to my SGLI. However, between the oxygen, power chair, lifts, stair lifts, braces, medicines, concentrators, testing equipment, canes, crutches BIPAPs, CPAP's, nebulizers, hearing aids, glasses, and other assorted equipment and supplies, I feel that I have far outgrown the SGLI payout.
I've got no complaints. I have 6 wheels to get around on now. My corrected vision is now better than over 3/4 of the population of the United States (I made this statistic up, so just let me have this moment), with my hearing aids I can hear more than most, I have more oxygen which is purer than any other person I know, and I can answer my phone through my hearing aids. The VA is essentially turning me into Steve Austin from the 6 Million Dollar Man! Why complain, at the very least I feel like I am worth a million dollars now, even if my health doesn't concur with my assessment." SGT Michael Thorin
I joined the Army at 17, did a split op program, we to Basic Training in the summer between my junior and senior year in high school. Graduated, spent 4 on active duty, then got out and into the Alabama Army National Guard in 1995, and began my fire service career.
After 9/11, like many others, we started getting deployed regularly. I participated in many deployments, both Title 32 and Title 10. My Title 10 deployments were to Fort Stewart in 2003, Afghanistan 2003, Anniston Army Depot in 2004, and Iraq in 2005 - 2006.
While I was actually stationed at CSC Navstar, Kuwait (Iraqi and Kuwaiti border), our mission was convoy security and route reconnaissance. Route recon roughly covered the area of Safwan to Kuwait. Convoy security took us as far south as Basra, and as far north at Mosul. We made many trips to Fallujah, al Taqaddum, Balad, Tallil, Taji, Scania, FOB Orion, Tikrit, Mosul, Basra, and BIAP.
During this time, we operated in M1114 up armored HMMWV's. Of course, they were better than the "hillbilly armor" that was so prevalent prior to the M1114's, so in that respect we were very fortunate.
During this year and a half deployment, we would spend most of our time on the road. Making trips to all of these FOB's and COP's kept us hopping, and we were running op's sometimes as long as 17 hours at a time. During my time in country, our HMMWV would be hit 3 separate times by IED's. Of these times, none led to any immediate injuries, other than a staved up back and a terrible desire to light something up. We endured, however, and there is no doubt in my mind that God had His hand of protection over us.
While in Iraq, I developed a chronic cough, hypertension and severe nausea. I went to the TMC once and was put on bed rest for 3 days and issued out some Ranger Candy. Of course, it fixed absolutely nothing, so I just did what I knew best and avoided the TMC from that day on and sucked it up and moved on. Life is hard, you can own it or you can let it on you; the choice is ALWAYS as simple as that.
After returning home, I went back to work in the fire service. During this entire time, I was battling the cough, hypertension, back pain, chronic nausea, severe joint pain, muscle pains, pain in my long bones (femur and humerus), and of course, PTSD. I reported these symptoms to my regular doctor, and he said I was too young to be having these problems, so he labeled it "exercise induced asthma" and gave me an albuterol inhaler. Needless to say, that was not the cure.
Presently, after several tests, I have been diagnosed with a myriad of medical problems. Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome, Constrictive Bronchiolitis Obliterans, Cardiac asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, fibromyalgia, and congestive heart failure. There is no good prognosis for any of these, and a lung transplant is the best option. After consulting with the doctors, they told me my heart may not be strong enough to stand the procedure, so now we are being evaluated for a heart transplant too.
We have lost our house, cars, and as for me, a bit of my dignity and self-respect because "I am man, listen to me Our lives are only temporary, and I refuse to sit around my house idly and
Having said that, I have no regrets.
My life has taken me down many winding roads. My two goals in life were to be a firefighter and a soldier. I nailed them, and if there is one thing in this life that I proud of, it's my lineage.
Finally, on April 1, 2016, I passed out on our job tasks at the fire department, and awoke to find two brothers standing beside me. I have been blessed to find a group of people; on here at RallyPoint and Victory for Veterans. Thanks
CPL Roger CopelandSPC Amy Harris]Joni Kelley(Join to see)
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Veterans Advocate
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 141
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I do PGR/Legion Riders to help/honor our Brothers. Also do "Meals on Wheels" for Senior's, which mean I meet lots of our brothers/sisters. I call it payback time!
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military helps military, when we left the service they didn't remove our oaths, and veterans help veterans, until death
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I grew up as a Son's member of the American Legion. Since I have been out I have held Several Positions at the Post, District & State Level in the Legion. I also volunteer my time currently in the AMVETS as a Service Foundation Trustee here in Florida. It's important to me to give back to others who have served. It just makes sense.
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I am retired with a total of 41 years and now volunteer at the local VA clinic and help veterans with needed furniture medical equipment they need and mental support. I love doing this and it brings smiles and joy to them and their families. Some vets dont qualifiy for something's and I can help.
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SPC Dwight Turner
see how good it is contacting others !! helps out there step up !!!! others can help follow others on rally point they can help or guide you the right way
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Someone once said "You have to carry your stripes, your stripes won't carry you." Taking care of fellow veterans is just part of the tradition of carrying your stripes. Along the lines of the chain is only as strong as its weakest link. If you've ever been to an Operation Stand Down, where the services try to reach out to homeless vets, you just know that there is a need out there, and one individual can just try to do something to help. Since there are no words to adequately describe the experience, you just have to be there to lend a hand. Hats off to the docs, dentists, nurses and supply types who do this every year, without fanfare. Trying to keep the vets from slipping further through the cracks.
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SPC Dwight Turner
no better words put joe !!! thanks to nurses in V.A they brought me through alot good thing i can still contact them !!!! but other veterans around help to no matter where in all forms of life we all can use time with others !!!! it's special bond of a soldier unlike civilians which i am proud of
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I still have the desire to serve and take care of soldiers. Many veterans I meet need to feel a sense of self worth. I serve with Disabled American Veterans because all I can do is volunteer. I think of it as a ministry and giving to something greater than myself.
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I was always one of those who thought there were others who need the help more than I. then one day I woke up and was one of those guys. Now I do my best to eradicate that mentality and get the disabled vets their due.
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I think that if I wouldn't have been part of AFSOC I probably wouldn't care about helping out other veterans, but AFSOC is like a family unlike the rest of the AF. I learned how important everyone was and still keep in contact with them even today.
Because of this I started volunteering with an AmeriCorps program called VetCorps helping veterans and family members get back into school. I also now help them with resources in the community.
Because of this I started volunteering with an AmeriCorps program called VetCorps helping veterans and family members get back into school. I also now help them with resources in the community.
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SPC Dwight Turner
no matter the vet i think we all could need help others might be to proud but deep inside they hate to asks i didnt like to until i needed the help
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As a country we have made a contract with each service member to provide specific benefits in return for their service to the military, regardless of the job the performed during that service. If they fulfill that contract, we as a country are obligated to fulfill our end of the deal by providing the benefits we promised.
I grew up loving history, reading history, raised by a family that taught a love for country and for those that gave me the freedom to live in this amazing country. I always questioned myself as to whether I could ever measure up to the bravery, sacrifice and intelligence that those who had founded this country had demonstrated as they had lived their lives giving so much of their freedom away so that I could have such a cushy life. I became a teacher, but because God has His Plan, I taught Fire Education for the County for 9 years; was a volunteer firefighter for 11 years; have known people in Emergency Services for over 38 years; have had my own chronic medical/pain issues since about 1980; have been a caregiver for friends and family members since about 2000, as well as a caregiver support group facilitator for over 11 years. It was through working with support groups that I found myself suddenly in the strangest situation one day, sitting with the wife of a sweet elderly man who had been a WWII German POW that now had dementia and she needed my help with his care. We talked often for months as his mental and physical health declined, until he passed away. In the end she thanked me for helping her care for her husband at the end of his life, and I was astounded, because I thanked her for the honor of being able to shepherd her husband to his eternal home where he was free and safe, and the extreme privilege of being able to actually assist an Air Corpsman, someone I'd thought I'd only be able to read about in history books, never dreaming I'd ever meet. As I have continued to do work with caregivers and people with dementia, SCI, TBI, I have found that God had been preparing me since I was little for the work I do now because of my interests, my readings, my education, the people I knew in high school and church, my college courses, my early jobs, my physical difficulties, my later jobs and contacts - it was all to prepare me for being able to care for people in my family who would need me, then for others who would be in my world. And the significance of each wouldn't be lost because I'd have background for their stories - the POW, the pilot that flew the Hump, the WAC, the Jewish boy whose family sent him away from Germany in 1938, the Camp Lejeune woman Marine in the nursing home, the Korean War Vets who then served in VN, the men from VN with PTSD and the ones being treated for Agent Orange but had to also be caregivers, my background allowed me to have a starting point for chats on the porch or in the hallway or on the phone. Then eventually we were talking about their wives or how hard it was to stop driving; what it was going to be like to have to leave their wife in a nursing facility; how they would agree to remove life support; how to tell the kids that their dad had early onset dementia; how do you get someone to go to adult day care; how do you talk him into giving his gun to you because he holds it while he sits in the recliner watching tv every day; how do you get him to take his medications.....and then you are able to let them know, both husband and wife, daughter and son that they should go to the VA or Adult Social Services and apply for VA Benefits to see what they may qualify for because even if it's just a home tax or car tag waiver, or if it's Aide and Attendance, it will save them money to use elsewhere and make the caregiving easier. And if they are really lucky it may free up a lot of finances to make the caregiving a lot easier for both of them, so the last years are less stressful, a little happier and more enjoyable.
If I can do that then I have earned the privilege of living here and done the hard work for everything all you have done to keep this place free for me. Oh yes, I vote too, and choose the best I can. I don't choose the candidates though, because if I did, someone like, say, Mad Dog or John Bolton would be our President.
I grew up loving history, reading history, raised by a family that taught a love for country and for those that gave me the freedom to live in this amazing country. I always questioned myself as to whether I could ever measure up to the bravery, sacrifice and intelligence that those who had founded this country had demonstrated as they had lived their lives giving so much of their freedom away so that I could have such a cushy life. I became a teacher, but because God has His Plan, I taught Fire Education for the County for 9 years; was a volunteer firefighter for 11 years; have known people in Emergency Services for over 38 years; have had my own chronic medical/pain issues since about 1980; have been a caregiver for friends and family members since about 2000, as well as a caregiver support group facilitator for over 11 years. It was through working with support groups that I found myself suddenly in the strangest situation one day, sitting with the wife of a sweet elderly man who had been a WWII German POW that now had dementia and she needed my help with his care. We talked often for months as his mental and physical health declined, until he passed away. In the end she thanked me for helping her care for her husband at the end of his life, and I was astounded, because I thanked her for the honor of being able to shepherd her husband to his eternal home where he was free and safe, and the extreme privilege of being able to actually assist an Air Corpsman, someone I'd thought I'd only be able to read about in history books, never dreaming I'd ever meet. As I have continued to do work with caregivers and people with dementia, SCI, TBI, I have found that God had been preparing me since I was little for the work I do now because of my interests, my readings, my education, the people I knew in high school and church, my college courses, my early jobs, my physical difficulties, my later jobs and contacts - it was all to prepare me for being able to care for people in my family who would need me, then for others who would be in my world. And the significance of each wouldn't be lost because I'd have background for their stories - the POW, the pilot that flew the Hump, the WAC, the Jewish boy whose family sent him away from Germany in 1938, the Camp Lejeune woman Marine in the nursing home, the Korean War Vets who then served in VN, the men from VN with PTSD and the ones being treated for Agent Orange but had to also be caregivers, my background allowed me to have a starting point for chats on the porch or in the hallway or on the phone. Then eventually we were talking about their wives or how hard it was to stop driving; what it was going to be like to have to leave their wife in a nursing facility; how they would agree to remove life support; how to tell the kids that their dad had early onset dementia; how do you get someone to go to adult day care; how do you talk him into giving his gun to you because he holds it while he sits in the recliner watching tv every day; how do you get him to take his medications.....and then you are able to let them know, both husband and wife, daughter and son that they should go to the VA or Adult Social Services and apply for VA Benefits to see what they may qualify for because even if it's just a home tax or car tag waiver, or if it's Aide and Attendance, it will save them money to use elsewhere and make the caregiving easier. And if they are really lucky it may free up a lot of finances to make the caregiving a lot easier for both of them, so the last years are less stressful, a little happier and more enjoyable.
If I can do that then I have earned the privilege of living here and done the hard work for everything all you have done to keep this place free for me. Oh yes, I vote too, and choose the best I can. I don't choose the candidates though, because if I did, someone like, say, Mad Dog or John Bolton would be our President.
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