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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Responses: 141
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I saw my parents struggle after my father left the Air Force. That is all it took!
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Staying Relevant in the Community. It is whole new world retiring. For years you have Brothers on your left and right all the time then all of sudden you're secluded. Mission First Family always. I always knew I wanted to open a gym and after finding out about NSCA's Tactical Athlete That is the direction my wife and I went. She is a retired Nurse and was a case manager at the WTB on FT Belvoir. She is using her 9/11 GI Bill getting her PhD in Human Performance. We can help Active Tacticians stay on top of their game or help WTB veterans get off the meds and feel better emotionally and physically and get stronger (22 too many). http://www.tributetrainingperformance.com Dumfries, VA [login to see]
Grit Iron | Home of Heroes | Military | Veterans | Tactical | Athletes | Powerlifting | Conjugate Theory | Bodybuilding | Strongman | Peak Performance | Injury Reduction | Sports Nutrition Certifie…
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Motivation?
I swore an oathe of allegiance to all my brothers and sisters years ago.
I AM My Brother's Keeper
I swore an oathe of allegiance to all my brothers and sisters years ago.
I AM My Brother's Keeper
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My Motivation is simple. I’m a veteran and not just because I’m a veteran doesn’t mean I don’t recognize and respect all of them. Past, present and future. What motivates me is the professional camaraderie that we have in all branches of our military. Over the past 24 years I’ve watched men and women volunteer for their Country and showing tremendous pride with helping their fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coastguard active duty and their counterpart veterans. There is a stigma in our society that all veterans are disabled to a certain degree. Well, I know for a fact that’s not true and the real truth is can our society support us in time of peace, but especially in time of war. I come from a family of retired military and veterans period. What Motivates me is seeing how our Nation as a whole watch our families as we go off to War. I wonder if the tables were turned around on our society, that every abled body person would have to serve in some capacity in our military and not just the Few, the Proud men and women in Harms way everyday of their lives.
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Being left in the cold is a hard way to go, I help or assist whenever I can because I know the feeling of not knowing what to do and the effects of someone coming out of the shadows to help. this is what we do.
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INMHO: I support fellow veterans because nobody will really help us but ourselves and our family. I am retired from teaching now. If it were not for the Naval Nuclear Power Program I would have remained an uneducated loser. I was a college dropout. The program was what I really needed. When I left the Navy, I found out that I learned a lot more than just my studies. I could learn, teach, and stand up for myself effectively. I also saw that many veterans never learned how to fit back into society. As sad as it is there is little effective help for them. Nobody cares except us. So, WE have to help.
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As an Army Retired Combat Veteran, I understand the importance of peer to peer help with Veterans. Many times we(Combat Veterans) can say we “understand” when listening to other Veterans discuss their struggles. Many Psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, etc. can’t truly say they understand. Having “been there and done that” provides credibility that many therapists will never have.
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were brothers and sisters in arms !!! why not help another vet our own government doesnt care come on give time and needing help old addage " help those who help others help those who need it !!!"
dad was a seabee he always thought veterans needed help and our government never would step foreward helps there for all of us hey i struggle as well due to depression with help from my ex wife i been lucky i belong to america legion post they help out in alot of ways sometimes more than needed but no matter contact your local legion post i find times just contacting them helps me build moral up they have great pride and respect the special bond they cant keep it from us be safe and most of all proud contact another veteran you know around you !!!!
that alone helps if he or she is close enough sit down together enjoy each others company the bond cant be broken
dad was a seabee he always thought veterans needed help and our government never would step foreward helps there for all of us hey i struggle as well due to depression with help from my ex wife i been lucky i belong to america legion post they help out in alot of ways sometimes more than needed but no matter contact your local legion post i find times just contacting them helps me build moral up they have great pride and respect the special bond they cant keep it from us be safe and most of all proud contact another veteran you know around you !!!!
that alone helps if he or she is close enough sit down together enjoy each others company the bond cant be broken
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For the past 10 years I have raised funds for wounded veterans. Some are surprised by my answers to the questions: "Are you a veteran?" "Is your husband a veteran?" "Are any of your children serving?" because all the short answer for all the questions is the word "no". But then I tell them I raise funds because these are American soldiers, and I am an American."
Most of the questioners get a bit ashamed because to tell you the truth, they don't think that way until I point it out to them. I can think of no charity that is more worthy of my time and effort than a young man or woman who now has life-altering injuries due to the fact they enlisted to protect my country and my family.
I thank you all for your service to our nation.
Lois Imbriano Barber
Most of the questioners get a bit ashamed because to tell you the truth, they don't think that way until I point it out to them. I can think of no charity that is more worthy of my time and effort than a young man or woman who now has life-altering injuries due to the fact they enlisted to protect my country and my family.
I thank you all for your service to our nation.
Lois Imbriano Barber
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SPC Dwight Turner
lois sometimes its hard for a veteran !!!! it took me along time theres a program the federal governments helping for salvation army helping veterans in need !!!! they have a guideline you have to meet for homeless veterans placing them in homes they have assitance programs in different needs i found also veterans like myself are proud sometimes when needing help we dont like accepting it sometimes it hurts then i relaized how much they were helping !!!
theres programs out there for veterans some who need help might not want it!!!!! being proud is great but getting assitance is another when needed
theres programs out there for veterans some who need help might not want it!!!!! being proud is great but getting assitance is another when needed
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Lois Barber
SPC Dwight Turner - aTake all the help that is offered. You earned it. I raised money for a nonprofit that builds handicap houses for soldiers who return who need the specially adapted homes.
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