In Their Own Words:
Being an active duty soldier in the Army was my way of life for fifteen and a half years. About nine months after returning home from Desert Storm, I got out of the service and re-entered the civilian world. At the time I was married with three children, and found several jobs while looking for one that gave me the same motivation and enthusiasm that I had serving in the military. To my surprise, I found myself "jumping inside the alcohol bottle" to ease the frustration, and in the process lost my wife, my children and my home. This worked for about nine months. I got a security job, attended college and got my own apartment. Sadly, I soon returned to being "inside of the bottle." During this time I met Lancaster County Veteran Service Officer and fellow Army veteran, Capt. Rick Ringlein, at the Veteran Service Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. He took an interest in me, and assisted me with getting some of my hard fought benefits. After about two years of a downward spiral, August 21st, 2004 arrived. I will never forget being rushed to the hospital suffering from an alcohol-induced seizure. I had just two choices: to continue drinking or to turn my life over to God. I decided to turn my life over to God and have not had a drink since that day. After four years of sobriety, I still have no desire to go back to the bottle or that way of life. I have reconnected with my children and my other family members, and have also apologized to my former wife. I am truly living life, and am also dedicated to "speaking for my comrades and families, that can not or will not speak for themselves." This is my new mission in life.
3rd Armored Division, Infantry; U.S. Army
Desert Shield and Desert Storm
My comrades and I were told that we would be treated as heroes after we returned from war, yet I was turned down for every job I applied for in the federal, state, city and local governments.
Drifting in and out of different homeless shelters in different states became my new way of life, and I was searching for some relief from the hurt and pain that I was suffering. In Riverton, Wyoming I got in touch with the Veterans Service Center and was given my VA Card which entitled me to medical and other benefits. After being there for about six months, I returned to Colorado Springs, Colorado and got a job. After my first paycheck I "jumped inside the bottle” again.
After entering a detox program, the counselor realized that I was a veteran who was interested in getting help, and she arranged for me to get treatment at the Lincoln VAMC, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
