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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As a disabled combat vet myself, I understand what many go through. I have been living with chronic pain and some hard times. Every time I go to the V.A. Hospital I try to speak to veterans and let them know there are others there for them and some times I let them vent and just get through the day. But if I can help veterans in any way, I would love to do just that. It warms my heart to do it and being in the ministry and a servant of God, it is my duty to hear all God's children and make sure they all get help.
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I know that being alone is fine for many people.
I know that people are made to be with...other people. We all have similar experiences and after getting out, I still don't know what more I can do. Online is where I can help the best and I don't know many veterans in my area. Simply listening.....................while they talk and being attentive to what they say and do can help them. I know that none of my family and friends can truly understand what I went through in the military; good and bad. Helping other veterans helps me. I can learn their stories and what they might be going through.
In my opinion, helping each other is innate but can be unlearned through many variables. You never know when an unknown Battle Buddy might step up for another. That should be the way we are while in, not just after we are out.
I know that people are made to be with...other people. We all have similar experiences and after getting out, I still don't know what more I can do. Online is where I can help the best and I don't know many veterans in my area. Simply listening.....................while they talk and being attentive to what they say and do can help them. I know that none of my family and friends can truly understand what I went through in the military; good and bad. Helping other veterans helps me. I can learn their stories and what they might be going through.
In my opinion, helping each other is innate but can be unlearned through many variables. You never know when an unknown Battle Buddy might step up for another. That should be the way we are while in, not just after we are out.
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Me and some vets cook for retreats and work the field of honor in Victoria TX
they have all become good times with good pepole
they have all become good times with good pepole
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My motivation - "There, but for the Grace of God goes I."; The Face of God in all victims of wars, including soldiers; and, War is obsolete in resolving differences. It does not determine who is Right, Wrong, Good or Bad.
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I didnt know where to turn for help when i got out 15 years ago, life spiraled out of control. I want no veteran to go through that ever. A friend I was stationed with started a food pantry here in Arkansas for veterans, need a proof of service and picture ID and thats all. We have food and hygiene items, the comments that are " it was between food and my meds this month" or "our utilities and food". It is heartbreaking, no veteran should ever have to make that choice.
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It's great to hear and see other Veterans no matter what there branch of service was, they still care. I for one will never forget the impact I got after I left the Marine Corps. My first job out of the service I was hired by a retired Marine SgtMaj. N doubt he knew his profession very well being an attorney for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The next one was a retired USAF MSgt, who also knew his profession with the Paralyzed Veterans of America Regional Director. But the last job was the best. Another retired Marine Corps Colonel gave this Veteran a chance to work for the County of San Diego. I've met so many Veterans of all branches and their respective families. Now that I'm retired I reflect back on my years of helping others who needed the help. I salute all Veterans past and present. But most of all I salute you SGT Michael Thorin and your family.
Semper Fidelis,
James K.
Semper Fidelis,
James K.
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We all need help sometimes no matter how big or small. As long as I am able, I will be there for my bother's and sister's. Leave no one behind no matter what.
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I do what I can because there are VA offices that hide so well, or scatter like Wal- Mart employees when people seek help. Often, people don't want to actually help you I've found, give you wrong phone numbers, on line access addresses that don't help or do anything, miss directions. don't answer their office phones, give you a hard time, or are not in the office during office hours. Need I go on.
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Helping Veterans actually help me to deal with my guilt trip of the ones that paid the price and I was left to deal with not, period.
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To be frank, it feels good. I'm in a motorcycle club in which most are vets, some from Korea, some from Vietnam, and some from Iraq/ Afghanistan. Several have issues day to day dealing with some of the things they saw and did, so they lile to talk to me and know that things aren't (as) bad as they were. We go to the VFW and Legion a lot and talk to local vets, too. So, I guess my motivation is basically just being around them and seeing them perk up a bit when talking to a yoinger vet.
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