Where did you serve and what did you do?

Deployed to Afghanistan with USAF 1st Expeditionary REDHORSE Unit to Kandahar Airfield. Was part of the construction crew that built up the base that allowed the surge of units to come in and forward deploy. Also deployed to Kuwait and Qatar where I did base maintenance to help maintain and upkeep of the base.

Tell us how your dog is helping you continue Still Serving in your community.

The VFW and Hercules have both played an important part of my recovery process to help me cope with my PTSD. Hercules helps with my panic and anxiety attacks and performs nightmare interruptions. I have also been able to sleep better at night and not always be on edge. Hercules helps open up the door for me to interact and socialize with the general public again. Most importantly Hercules helps open the door to talk to other veterans about PTSD and bring awareness to the general populace.

Why do you do it?

The VFW was a vital role in part of my healing process, I spent 4 years disconnected from society and was disgruntled, 2 years ago I ran into a local VFW member who was on the local post Honor Guard and we started to talk, he invited me to the meeting, and despite me being about 30 years younger then everyone they welcomed me in and reminded me of the brotherhood and family and was very supportive to help put any way they can. To know there is a organization that cares about our veterans and to have learned of all the amazing things the VFW stands for and has done for our Country’s Veterans, I wanted to be part of that team and help bring awareness my generation and all veterans. So many veterans feel alone and separated from the world but they don’t have to be, my goal is to help them find their place and help them feel that love once again and let them know they do not have to fight the battle alone and we are hear for them.