Where did you serve and what did you do?

I served 28 years in the Air Force Reserves with 433 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and Aeromedical Staging Squadron. I was deployed or activated in support 13 times, many places around the world, every state but Alaska. Sep 88: Hurricane Gilbert; Provided medical staging support Sep 89: Hurricane Hugo; Provided AE and medical staging support Jan 91 – May 91: Operation DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM; Provided AE and medical support in theatre Aug 92: Hurricane Andrew; Provided AE and medical staging support Dec 92 – May 93: Operation RESTORE HOPE; Provided AE and medical support in theatre and CONUS Dec 95 – Jun 96: Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR; Provided AE and medical support in theatre; ANCOIC of MASF Jun 99 – Oct 99: Operation NOBLE ANVIL; Provided AE and medical support in theatre;¬ ANCOIC of MASF Jul 00 – Nov 00: Contingency Operation supporting SOUTHERN WATCH, NORTHERN WATCH, JOINT FORGE and NOBLE ANVIL; Provided AE and medical support in theatre; NCOIC AEOT Sep 01 – World Trade Center Support; Provided AE and medical staging support Feb 03 – Dec 04: Operation IRAQI FREEDOM/ENDURING FREEDOM; Provided AE and medical support in theatre; NCOIC CASF & AECT Aug 05 – Sep 05: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; Provided AE and medical staging support Oct 06 – Oct 07: Operation ENDURING FREEDOM; Provided AE and medical support in CONUS; NCOIC AE Crews Mar 09 – Dec 09: Operation IRAQI FREEDOM; Mobilized CONUS for LOD from ‘03- Provided unit support for daily operations

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

Chief is my service dog. Although he is not licensed, he absolutely supports me mind and soul everyday. I got him off Facebook 12 years ago, two years prior to retiring. I never knew at that time that PTSD would play such a major role in my life within a couple of years after retiring. In the medical field you learn very quickly to put up a wall between reality and death. I managed to do that for 28 years. I also have some physical limitations that Chief can’t help me with directly, but he definitely knows when I’m in pain and shows great compassion. He helps my mental health – when I’m angry, depressed, sad, or thinking about traumatic events I faced. He encourages me to wake up each day and still be a productive member of society. He’s my everything, he’s my all. I’m single and everyday I dread thinking of him getting older. As a Lab, I know 12 years old is not young. I don’t know how I’ll function when he’s gone. I think about it every day. I really hope I get a service dog lined up before anything happens to Chief, but it’s not likely.

Why do you do it?

I am an big advocate for all active military, veterans, their families and America. I’ve worked for the VA for 35 years and I’m still able support the military every day. I plan to volunteer with the USO when I retire from the VA. I’m so Blessed because of the opportunities this country has afforded me. I’ve been to many countries around the world and America is the only place I’d want to live. I support Veterans because it’s rewarding and they deserve it. I understand the selfless sacrifice it takes to be free.