This is the story of how this veteran came to contact AHR for support, his service, and what his challenges are.

This email arrived last month from Mike:

Hello...,

My name is Mike and I was injured serving on the the USS Kittyhawk while deployed in the middle east. I am 40% service [disabled], and cant keep my head above water.

I only receive 711 dollars from the VA a month, and been unable to work for over 3 yrs. now...I feel all the walls caving in on me, all the time. For the last 10 months I have not left my neighborhood, and only look at the same four walls day in and day out.

Please offer one of your sanctuaries to me, so I can rebuild my sense of self reliance and make a plan for success. Thank you for your time and God bless.

Respectfully,

Mike Smith

See, Mike was a happy, excited young sailor at enlistment. Moving through basic training without a hitch, his assignment to an aircraft carrier was greeted with real hope for his future and career.

Where it Began
From the first days of reporting to the USS Kittyhawk, Mike's experience and "welcoming aboard" to the US Naval ship was violent and assaultive. But he continued on, serving his country as he had promised he would. Then, there was the flight deck accident and injury to his back that resulted in his permanent disability.

Life Today
So what is Mike's life like today? Mike is one of the thousands of men and now women out there who are suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

He reports the all-to-typical symptoms of sleeplessness, wandering the house at night, continual worry for his other shipmates, a pattern of dysfunction in his marriage, adversely impacted relationship with his kids, and all of this resulting in an inability to maintain employment.

Other Forces
To complicate his life are the verbalized disappointments of his in-laws and on frequent occasion, of his wife. He is struggling. Mike is a good man, a loving father, and wants nothing more than to be "better." But without a break in the cycle, a period of recovery, and a supportive environment for that recovery, it is likely that his marriage will fail and Mike will continue in the cycle of despair and lack of productivity that is the hallmark of PTSD victims.

We continue our conversations with Mike. And we hope and pray with him that he can find the strength and solace to move past his life changes. Of course, we encourage his continued work through the VA Med system and track his progress.

Mike, his Wife and Kids are the Why
What Mike represents is the need for Camp Hero. When asked if the opportunity was there for him to come to the East Coast and live and learn with other men who are experiencing the same issues, would he come? Could he come? "Yes," he says.

Mike and men and women like him who have answered the call to service and are suffering the consequences of that military service is why American Heroes Return was founded and what the mission forward is about.

In His Own Words
"Its been a very long time since I have been able to connect with someone, " says Mike, " I am thankful for your words. For some reason you are coming in "Loud and Clear" to me. RARE. Thank you Lance for your ears, the Lord knew I needed some safe communications...just ears and a message of hope and peace. Again Lance. thank you."

Mike can be sure of one thing, the first bunk open in the first retreat cabin has his name on the reservation.

Partnerships with individuals like you will build the success necessary to move the lives of Heroes like Mike forward. Join us today in our vision for a better future for our veterans. Please join us today.

The vets need you, now more than ever, please make your gift here.

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