HERO 1 2010

UPDATE: Last year, our Hero identified that his primary goal was to return to school and finish college. As a result of the incredible donations of WHOH, he paid off student loans incurred prior to joining the service, and enrolled this spring at a local college. Our hero is working towards a nursing degree and he takes great pride in his studies. He also enjoys the social experience of school, and has made many friends.
Our Hero also gives back by volunteering with a local Veterans organization and often visits older veterans who are hospitalized at the VA. Our Hero never would have returned to school unless he was confident that his parents and four younger siblings were being cared for and safe. Thanks to the very generous donations of WHOH, our Hero's family was able to pay off debts and make needed repairs in the home and on their vehicles.

HERO 2 2010

UPDATE: Hero 2 2010 has obtained his veterans benefits and other financial entitlements and is in the process of renegotiating his home mortgage loan. He is also receiving treatment from VAMC Northport for pain in his back, neck and head due to service-related injuries and depression and panic attacks related to combat stress. He and his family exhibited great dignity and resilience while they repaired their home, pursued employment for his wife to add to the family income and re-established their life together in New York.

In addition to improved financial circumstances, our Hero is enjoying increased independence now that he has received a service dog. His service dog is specifically trained to bring him home in the event that a combat stress-related flashback makes the familiar surroundings of his immediate neighborhood appear strange and is also trained to wake him is he experiences a flashback at night. This service has dramatically improved his quality of life.

Donations through WHOH have sustained our Hero and his family when their income could not meet basic needs for food, clothing and shelter. Donations also provided them with gifts and festive meals during the holiday season. Although WHOH told him that the funds represent gratitude from donors for his dedicated service to our country, during every visit our Hero conveys his deep appreciation for the gifts and assistance he received.

HERO 3 2010

UPDATE:
Our Hero 3 has been able to make great progress on his goals thanks to the incredible generosity of WHOH. One of the first things he was able to do was visit his sister and family in Haiti for the first time after the earthquake. This was an emotional but very special visit for him. At this time, his sister's application for visa was denied, but our Hero is in process of appealing this decision.

One of the most significant accomplishments of our Hero was to pay off his arrears in child support for his 5 year old daughter. Although his monthly income was insufficient to provide the monthly child support payment, he wanted to provide as much as he could for his daughter. Unfortunately, due to multiple circumstances, he fell into arrears with the child support payments. Thanks to the incredible generosity of WHOH, our Hero paid off his debt and now makes a more appropriate payment each month.
In October 2010, our Hero moved into his own apartment which allowed him to continue his studies, internship and part-time medical job. This May, he will be graduating from the occupational therapy program at a local college, and has been accepted into the Masters program at local university. Our Hero is extremely proud of this, and would not have been able to do this had it not been for the generous support of WHOH.