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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Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 141
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A sense of duty. Just because you’ve transitioned doesn’t mean you don’t want to continue serving. I was lucky to be fully employed. The least I could do was to leverage my good luck, my knowledge of the interview and hiring processes, and my network with other veterans.
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If one veteran won't help another veteran who will? Civilians just don't understand!!!!
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I am motivated by the impulse to help others many of them are without families and don’t understand the bureaucracy of dealing with the VA benefits side. I feel good providing assistance to fellow Veterans. I am thankful for what I have and what I’ve accomplished. I know I owe it to me serving in the military and I feel compelled and indebted to helping other Veterans in whatever way I can.
Helping, giving, volunteering, and other actions undertaken to benefit many less fortunate Veterans plays a critical role in protecting their self esteem and often times their mental health, as well as fighting poverty and hunger.
It’s a good feeling helping and I don’t want a pat on the back I just want to know through my assistance I made a positive difference in another Veterans life. Simple acts of kindness really cost nothing however it can make a tremendous impact on someone’s life.
Peace!
Helping, giving, volunteering, and other actions undertaken to benefit many less fortunate Veterans plays a critical role in protecting their self esteem and often times their mental health, as well as fighting poverty and hunger.
It’s a good feeling helping and I don’t want a pat on the back I just want to know through my assistance I made a positive difference in another Veterans life. Simple acts of kindness really cost nothing however it can make a tremendous impact on someone’s life.
Peace!
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That’s like asking why you joined the service. I would say most join for the experience. During the tenure of being in your experience, you delvelop bonding with other people. You learn a sense of duty. Most people have an “idea” of what the service is like. My other half thinks the military is all boot camp. Nothing but boot camp. Thank God that wasn’t my experience. Since you have that bonding experience, such as, a brewed cup of coffee that you share on a cold morning. Your last cigarette, a sip of water...etc. you know how it feels. Some sacrifice more than us, so when I have the opportunity to help out a fellow vet, I do so. Even when I’m in a place and I see an active service guy, I see him going into a restaurant to eat, I pay for his meal. I make sure he doesn’t know about it. I tell the cashier to make sure he gets what he wants, and to put it on my bill. I know what it’s like to be broke and living on a military pay. It makes me feel good to be able to do that. Gives me a chance to relive my youth. I don’t want nothing in return, other than, if I’m in a place where I need help, and a fellow vet can help out, isn’t it his duty? I remember being discharged from active duty, but, NO ONE released me yet from being a vet. Therefore, my duty hasn’t been relieved from me.
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SPC Dwight Turner
amen jeff i think alot i know serving i tried to paying for them when i was at work my boss asks me why i told him " helping a soldier makes me feel better about myself !!!" my boss not knowing what to say looked across counter shook his hand in lue he gave him a card with money on it !! soldier nodded " thank you" i noticed slight tear in his eye i went around the counter and hugged him i knew his pain since then i cant work anymore i found out he comes into my old job though my boss is no longer there he still comes in 1 of girls said " he still comes in and looks around for you !!!" i replied " i figured he'd understand !!!!" i was about to leave here he came in with other soldiers from posts i embraced them we sat and talked over alot of things about life it was smile on there faces being all younger than me ( 61) myself !!!!
but theres the bond they know other veterans who are out there for them !!!! that alone breaks the ice in alot of ways
peave and love be with you and your family jeff
but theres the bond they know other veterans who are out there for them !!!! that alone breaks the ice in alot of ways
peave and love be with you and your family jeff
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After serving in the military I feel that I have an automatic special bond with my brothers in arms, regardless of which branch they were in. I feel that the bond is strong because you can all relate to the same type of thing. That bond sticks, and you tend to look out for each other, even in civilian life. I plan to start my own business, and make it one that is veteran owned and operated, giving veterans the opportunity for employment, and donating at least 20% of my profits to veteran organizations.
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I have served at the VA here in Wichita Ks for four years. I drive an RV and go out to find Veterans having problems or never signed up for benefits. We also take flue shots out to our Vets. and in the near future we will take tecks. out that can do eye exams and xray's the eyes of Diabetic Vets.
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They Served Thier Country and Made Sure I was Born into a Free Democratic Society
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My motivation for helping my fellow veterans is that for over a decade I was homeless. could not make enough money for me to find a place to live because of significant debt, and my expenses were more than what I was making. And for people like me, who do not have a history of drugs, alcohol, or criminal activity, the system is not quick to help people like me. the first question I always was asked is "why are you homeless?" "You're college-educated, you're a professional, you shouldn't be homeless." My hope is to bring people like me into the light as far as for homeless advocacy. People who want to better their lives and have always wanted to be productive, not because of redemption, but because of just plain bad luck. Like right now, I'm facing the same challenges since I lost my job back in December. I'm on the verge of being homeless again, haven't eaten in a few days, and the system is not quick to help someone like me because they cannot benefit from me monetarily.
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I was a nationally accredited service officer and wound up being accredited with five different organizations over the years. I found that the average veteran, spouse, survivor or other claimants have no idea how intricate Title 38 United States Code can be. Whether it was applying for service connected compensation, non-service connected pension, medical care, education, home loan. insurance or burial benefits most were absolutely clueless. The military seldom, if ever, briefed the separating service member regarding the realm of benefits available to them. The most poignant cases were the World War One and Two vets that got a good job, had insurance and other benefits. Almost to a man the statement was "I didn't need to use VA for anything because I had a good job." Then they got old or sick or needed assistance and because they didn't apply for anything when they first had the opportunity it became very difficult to submit a claim on their behalf due to lack of information or backup. I traveled around to groups, senior centers, military units and unions to provide information and what they could do to prepare themselves and their families to ensure, at least, the basics were available and everyone had knowledge on how to start. What was so disconcerting to me was the plethora of county, state and national service officers and in many cases the absolute lack of training or care given to ensure the veteran or family received the best assistance available. Some reps were appointed to fill a slot because of being the friend of a politician. Some spent weeks attending training sessions to insure they knew the laws and how to apply them and do appeals to get the maximum benefit available. The reps ran the gamut from not giving a shit, because they were not vets nor accredited to highly professionals so well versed in the laws they were usually highly successful. The other part was the VA employees themselves. Some were great and worked for the vets, while others did the bare minimum to collect a paycheck. They gave the VA a bad reputation and drove vets away who in turn told other vets the horror stories about trying to get medical treatment or other benefits on their own. Many of us, because of a bad experience, left the VA system with a really hateful attitude for VA or veterans service organizations specifically chartered to aid and assist their comrades. When they found out that someone actually cared about them they changed. Some of us never did and self abused ourselves to death. It was my honor and pleasure to assist veterans, survivors and dependents obtain the maximum available, by law, for my brothers and sisters and their survivors.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
LTC Charles "Pappy" Patchin Thanks for sharing your personal experience with supporting and helping veterans "Pappy!" This is awesome. Thank you.
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