by R. J. Belle
I had to disclose to the police department why I was going to therapy. Because of that, I was put on disability. There is too much liability for a police officer to serve with untreated PTSD. Disability pay was about half of my full pay, which I had been getting the whole time I was mobilized. So I went from two paychecks to a half of one paycheck. I couldn’t afford a house and ended up sleeping in my office those last few months at Wounded Warrior Battalion. I was reserve retired with no benefits, no place to stay, broke and my wife had left me. That’s when I met Sandy.
The first time I met Sandy was at the Wounded Warrior Battalion. I had extra room in my office, and one day she came in and sat at an empty desk and just started doing paperwork. I left the room and was watching her from outside a window thinking, ‘Who is this lady?’ I didn’t say anything to her, but I didn’t understand why this civilian was sitting in my office doing paperwork. She started coming in regularly, and I watched as service members and their spouses would stop by and say hello to her, stop by to give her a hug. Everyone seemed to know her name. I think she knows the name of every single service member at Balboa Naval Medical Center.
One of my Marines knew my situation, and she told Sandy about it and asked if she could help me. Sandy doesn’t take no for an answer, and the Warrior Foundation stepped in and gave me a hand-up. My life had changed so drastically. I didn’t know what to do; I didn’t know what I was going to do or where I was going to live.
Sandy asked me to look at this place she was thinking of buying. She took me to what is now Freedom Station. They had one apartment vacant at the time. Sandy said that was where I was going to live. She doesn’t take no for an answer. She paid the first month’s rent and moved me in. It was nice not to be sleeping at my desk and to have at least some time to figure out what I was going to do. I didn’t have any furniture or anything else. I rolled out my sleeping bag and put my clothes in little piles on the floor. I didn’t need much and didn’t want to ask for anything.
Every day I would go out for a run to clear my mind. One day, Sandy asked if she could bring some people by to look at the place. She was trying to get the funds to purchase the entire property and turn it into what is now Freedom Station. So Sandy came by with some people from Furnishing Hope and, while I was out on my run, they furnished the entire apartment. She put my clothes on hangers and brought gift baskets of food and toiletries. It breaks me up to think about that day, even now. It’s hard to be a man and accept help. I went from being a police officer, not just any police officer; I was a Chicago Police Officer. I went from serving in the military, not just any branch of the military; I was a US Marine. To go from that to not even being able to support myself, and having strangers come in to furnish my apartment and bring me food – it was hard to accept. After going through everything I had gone through, I felt like dirt. Those times were dark times; so dark that I was hospitalized for a while. Thank God I had friends who recognized that and got me the help that I needed. Sandy made me feel like I was worthy again; she made me feel like I deserved compassion and understanding.
The uniqueness of the Warrior Foundation ~ Freedom Station is that they are hands-on. More than any other organization out there – they know the men and women they serve. They know their names, their situations, the names of their children – they care about their daily lives. I’ve seen other organizations; I’ve seen their backpacks, their t-shirts, and their commercials but have never seen them in person. That is the difference. Not to take away from the other organizations or what they might do for service members, but Warrior Foundation knows the people that they serve. They have direct contact, form direct relationships with the Marines and that’s why they know their needs. Back when I first met Sandy – she was the lady that helped all the Marines. Never did I think I would end up needing her help.
I feel lucky to have watched Freedom Station form from the beginning. It looks entirely different than it did back then. After they bought the property, Sandy had all the units fixed up, converted for handicap accessibility and installed a security gate around the perimeter. It is a small community now. I’ve watched many people come to Freedom Station during their transition and go on to be successful people with fulfilling lives. Freedom Station gave them a place and the time they needed during the transition; a place to have time to heal.
You see a guy move in just broken. They are injured and fragile emotionally. You see them come in just messed up, and you watch the transition – they get their smile back, they get their lives back. Living in this community does something for these guys, it gives them a sense of independence, it makes them feel like other people care and they have people around them who truly understand their situation. It’s hard to relate to someone who hasn’t gone through what we have. I try to stay accessible to all the guys who go through Freedom Station; I can relate to them. I think it’s easier for them to open up to someone who understands. Giving your time is the greatest gift you can give. I think that’s what it is about the Warrior Foundation – they give you their time, their love – they don’t do it for a paycheck, they do it because they sincerely care.
For me, trying to put the pieces back together is a little unique. When you get injured as an active duty guy, you get medically discharged. You still have benefits and pay. For me, getting out as a reservist, my experience is very different. It’s hard going back to the civilian world after the war. I’m trying to find my passion, find out what to do from here. Being a police officer, I loved what I did; I loved my job. I was a good police officer, and I was a good Marine. Where do you go after that – nothing else compares. Finding something that you are equally passionate about when you can’t be a Marine anymore, or in my case, a police officer or a Marine – it’s hard. I still don’t think it will ever be the same, and that’s my challenge now. I’m back in school trying to gain a new skill set, and being here at Freedom Station has helped give me that time to do what I need to do to start over.”
Juan is another front-man for Freedom Station. He not only helps to mentor the younger guys but also helps Sandy with fundraisers and speaking engagements. His gratitude toward Sandy and Freedom Station is apparent and rightfully so. With the support he receives and the ability to live close to the services he needs and time for school, I know he will indeed find his path and move forward while continuing to help others.
CHAPTER 18
The Volunteers
Upon meeting Sandy Lehmkuhler, founder and president of Warrior Foundation ~ Freedom Station, one thing immediately stands out about her; she is passionate about helping our injured service members. Her passion isn’t just something she does – it’s a part of who she is. Along with an all-volunteer staff, Sandy has grown the organization into something much larger than originally intended. From its small beginning raising funds to purchase razors for the wounded at Balboa Naval Medical Center, Warrior Foundation – Freedom Station now has a transitional living facility and uses over ninety-six percent of all funds raised for assistance needed by our injured and ill service members across the nation. Although the focus is primarily the injured at Balboa, WFFS continues to lend support when needed long after the service member has moved forward, often to other states.
Sandy is fondly referred to as a surrogate or second mom by most of the warriors who have leaned on her in their time of need. She and WFFS don’t disappear when the service member has made the transition back to civilian life. I have personally watched Sandy take calls from past and present warriors ranging from needing help with funeral arrangements to dog sitting. She has taught these warriors how to balance a checkbook and turn on utilities. She has helped them get into college and open a savings account. The aid that this organization offers is more than monetary; the men and women of WFFS offer their hearts.
To those who selflessly give of their time and their talents, we thank you.
Board of Directors:
Evelyn McCormick, Secretary; Judy Sexton, Director; Sandy Moul, Communications
Chair; Sandy Lehmkuhler, President; Shawn Cheney, Deputy OIC, WWD NMCSD; Juliana Mercer, Chairman, Special Events; Ken Lowe, Treasurer; Jim Bedinger, Craig Blanke, Joan Mitchell, Sue Lemke, Mark Stuart, Sharron LaHaye, Rocky Sheng, Ed Hanson, Dian Self, Vic Tambone, Guy Riddle, Brian Lehmkuhler, and Mike Seymour.
Please visit www.WarriorFoundation.org to learn about Volunteer Opportunities.
CHAPTER 19
AFTER
By Ed Hanson
After my childhood
Of lilacs and wildwood
After my sign up
Marines had us line up
After the training
The sweat and the straining
After the last blast
Loss of my recent past
After the recovering
I am now discovering
After it all
Will there be love, will there be laughter
After, after it all
Acknowledgement
I would like to express my heart felt thanks to the men who so openly shared their stories with me. It takes a great deal of courage to be that vulnerable.
Thank you to Warrior Foundation ~ Freedom Station board members and volunteers and special gratitude to Sandy Lehmkuhler for all you have done and continue to do for our injured service members.
To the people who make it possible for me to do what I do – thank you for seeing my craziness and loving me anyway.
Helen Gerth-Mahi, you are an amazing friend and mentor.
Toran Gaal, you own my heart. Real Forever.
Ryan, JD, Lana and Bella – I love you most!
Warrior Foundation ~ Freedom Station
Mission Statement:
Warrior Foundation ~ Freedom Station aims to be the leading force in assisting, honoring and supporting the military men and women who have so bravely served and sacrificed for our country. We are committed to helping our warriors in a variety of ways, providing quality-of-life items, numerous support services and transitional housing designed to assist them and their families during recovery.
Warrior Foundation ~ Freedom Station assists four main groups of warriors: the seriously injured just returning home from war; those suffering from post-traumatic stress or traumatic brain injury; those undergoing physical or occupational therapy, and warriors who have been medically retired and remain in our community. To serve this last group in particular, Warrior Foundation ~ Freedom Station pioneered a new approach and opened Freedom Station – a unique recovery transition center and housing facility that provides injured warriors with the acclimation time, guidance and resources to successfully make the transition from military service to civilian life.
100% of this book’s profits go directly to
Warrior Foundation ~ Freedom Station
Please consider becoming a monthly or annual donor
www.WarriorFoundation.org
GREG WHITE JR.
BIOGRAPHY
Greg White Jr. is a singer and songwriter from Tampa, Florida who, with his fresh, raw talent, is ready to take the world of country music by storm. His songs have been influenced by real life experiences and role models like Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Blake Shelton and Garth Brooks.
His love for music began at a young age when he would fall asleep to the local country station playing softly on his clock radio. In elementary school, he wrote simple poems that later would be turned into lyrics that he would sing for his mom on the way to football practice. She would urge him to sing louder, telling him that one day he would have many people listening to his music.
“Writing songs has always come naturally,” he says.
Greg now loves inspiring audiences with high-energy performances. He is already turning heads in Nashville and has had the honor of working with seasoned songwriters, including Mike Lounibos and Marty Panzer.
Ironically, it was during his two years in Japan, serving in the U.S. Navy, that Greg returned to his country roots and began performing for live audiences with Those Rowdy Boys – an all U.S. sailor band. This experience inspired him to take his passion to the next level and pursue music as a career. He soon learned that writing and entertaining, while his core passions, were only a part of the world of music he wanted to be immersed in. He currently attends Full Sail University working towards a Music Production degree to contribute to the industry.
Amidst a full schedule with a tour of duty in San Diego, California, several concerts and efforts to support assistance for wounded veterans, production of his first, self-titled album, Greg White Jr., is currently underway. It includes the singles “That Tree,” “Long Road,” and “Fullest Life,” a song written as a tribute to our wounded veterans.
With his growing fan base and show schedule, Greg is reaching a market of loyal, California-based country fans.
Music is his business, his goal and his passion. He is guaranteed to energize listeners with his dynamic performances, fun-loving personality and inspirational music.
Many thanks to Greg White Jr. for creating FULLEST LIFE and for his support of veterans’ organizations. Check it out on the AFTER book trailer on YouTube. Purchase Fullest Life on iTunes.
The Fullest Life
They sent me too close to hell
To fight the good fight
Now I’m here with the wounds of war
It ain’t sitting right
There’s a stirrin’ in my spirit
A feeling in my bones
I got a chance they didn’t get
I made it home
I’m gonna’ get on up
I’m gonna’ take a lap
I’m gonna’ get my boy to his football game
We’ll cheer ‘em on and laugh
I’m gonna’ hold the girl
That I love most in the world
I made it through the toughest fight
I’m gonna’ live, gonna’ live
The Fullest Life
I’m not a mountain climber
So maybe just a hike
Or I’ll ride clear across
America on my bike
There’s a stirrin’ in my spirit
A feeling in my bones
I lift a prayer for the warriors
Who haven’t made it home
I’m gonna get on up
Gonna take a lap
Gonna throw some poles in that old John boat
And hit the lake with Dad
We’ll take away
Big stories from the day
And how we fought the toughest fight
I’m doing this for my brothers
Who didn’t make it home
I’m gonna’ get on up
Gonna share a smile
Gonna take my little girl by the hand
And walk her down the aisle
I’m lifted up
By a family built on love
I made it through the darkest night
Because they’re right here by my side
N’ now I’ll fight the toughest fight
I’m gonna’ live
Gonna’ live
The Fullest Life
©2015 by Greg White Jr., Ron Elliott & Mark Hattersley
About the Author
R.J. Belle began writing as a teenager as a way to express her creative side. In 2013, she found herself spending a great deal of time working on plot development and character creation, and decided to make the jump into writing for publication. After spending 15 years in the lending industry, R.J. Belle left her career to write full time and within three months, she published her first fiction mystery novel, First One Down.
R.J. Belle lives in Southern California with her family. She enjoys writing, reading, running, coffee, and college football. She is passionate about issues that affect our military veterans.
To see what’s coming next, visit us online at
www.AuthorRJBelle.com
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