Road to Recovery

Registration is open for the 2016 Road to Recovery Conference. Veterans who have attended this event in the past have described as healing, educational, comforting, and life changing. There are job fairs, resources for coping with injuries, help and support for the families that attend, good food ;), and people there who understand you and can relate to you because they have been where you have been. They have either come through it stronger, or are still in recovery and have walked the same mile in your shoes that you have walked in theirs.

The requirements for this event are, you must have sustained one injury in combat during OIF//OEF/OND that is rated 30% or greater.

If you meet those qualifications, register!

Here is the link to register:

https://saluteheroes.org/get-help/r2r-conference/

The Coalition Gave Me My Confidence Back

I can remember the last time I went to a theme park. It was when the family and I attended a Road to Recovery in San Diego.  That was a big step for me, as I have a tendency to avoid big crowds.

Today I’m in the Heroes thanking Heroes program and taking steps to build new memories for my family.  My boys are nine and two years of age. 

The thing that is different is my daughters are in there 20’s and remember the pain of receiving the call of me being wounded. They remember the countless surgeries to follow. My boys have no clue; they just remember how I am now while my daughters remember how I was before, different.

I try to do my best to make things different for them, like trying out the things I used to be comfortable doing. For my sons ninth birthday, we went to LEGOLAND! Something I would have never done hadn’t been for the confidence that my wife tells me I’ve shown since working for the Coalition.

I Just want to say thank you and always remember to build those new memories no matter how small or how big. The memories mean the world to the family, when you put yourself out there and try.  

The Summer Funnies!

Stop that! Leave the cat alone! The dog is NOT a horse! Stay out of the fish tank! Don't pick the baby up! You just ate lunch, how are you hungry again? Don't hit your brother! What was that noise? No, you can't have that candy! Share with your brother/sister! Get off the table!  No! No! NO! I'm trying to work!

Our reps work from home. It's so they can take care of their veteran, have a bit of income, and so they can possibly move on to other at home call centers that are similar to the one they work on with the Heroes Thanking Heroes program. Most of us have children, and we work from home to call and thank donors for their support, and just give some updates on how their generous contributions help us help veterans.

So here are some humorous stories from our reps when they tried to work while the kids were on summer break.

Christine Thompson - Christine has two daughters ages 14 and 8 and when she works she goes into her office and tells her how long she's going to be working and to keep the noise down to a minimum. One day she was working and one of her daughters came in her office screaming, "CHLOE JUST POOPED ON THE FLOOR". Of course she did, no one had let her out since Christine did.  And as luck would have it, Christine was mid call, go figure right? Christine sat down with her daughter explained that she had to keep it down while mom was working, that she's not being mean, just trying to explain the rules. At the time, Christine was so fuming mad...but now, all that can be done is laugh!

Liz Snell - Someone asked Liz who watches her kids? She responds, "we use the dog as the sitter". Looks like the dog takes his job seriously!  ;)

Talia Hawkins - The kids run in and say "Grandma needs a bandaid!"!  I was on a call with a veteran trying to get their email address when one of the kids ran in yelling loudly that "Grandma needs a bandaid!"

Jennifer Urbany - I was in the middle of writing up a blog entry when my oldest comes running in, blood in his mouth, and exclaimed proudly, "MOMMY I RIPPED MY TOOTH OUT THE TOOTH FAIRY IS COMING!"! I don't know about you, but I used to get a dollar for my teeth. Due to inflation, I think she pays $5 per tooth now. 

Lacy Mullen - We moved into our new house this summer and thankfully it came with a sound proof office! I love my four kids with everything I have and when I'm free they want nothing to do with me but, go figure soon as Mommy gets busy working they are right there wanting all my attention!! Now they can yell for Mom all day at the door and I just smile and wave through the sound proof window while I work away!????

A Vacation is Always Good For The Soul

My family and I spent some time up in the Upper Peninsula by Lake Superior. I don’t know what it is about this place. But my veteran is relaxed here.

My first weekend up there, was a little stressful. But week two, was calm.

We enjoyed time together, laughed with each other, something that we haven’t done in a long time. Maybe it’s because there isn’t a lot of traffic up there. I don’t know.

Our everyday life tends to be stressful. He doesn’t really like to go anywhere, unless he is with family.

We spent the day on the beach, had lunch and just chilled with our five kid’s.  Took a walk into town and went to a few historical buildings. Had ice cream with the kid’s then went swimming in Lake Superior. Normally the lake is too cold to swim in, this summer, it was perfect!

My kid’s had a great time, seeing their dad laugh and smile sure does make them happy.

I cherish these moments. I cherish them because this week up north on our family vacation, we were whole and it felt amazing. No stress, no triggers, no arguing. Just love and happiness! 

Come here my love, let me whisper in your ear.

I want to tell you the reason I keep you near.

With you, I know and feel comfort.

Come here my love, let me hold you in my arms.

I want to reassure you, you’re all I need.

I know I tend to push you away. Please stay.

Come here my love, let me kiss your lips.

I need to kiss away your fears.

Like you have done for me time and again.

Come here my love, forever!

-Kacy Revord

Rob Jones - Paralympics Bronze Medalist

Are you watching the 2016 Rio Olympics?

As nearly 29 million people worldwide tune in to watch the best athletes of the 200 member countries, we at the Coalition wanted to catch up with our own Paralympic bronze medalist and combat wounded Marine Corps hero, Rob Jones.

Rob Jones. The everyday hometown hero that went to Afghanistan to serve his country; he came home a bilateral above the knee amputee as the result of an IED explosion. He decided that the loss of his legs wasn’t the loss of his life and his survival inspired him to become an amazing adaptive athlete. Rob’s bronze medal in Paralympic rowing (mixed double sculls) came only 2 years after he was critically wounded. Rob’s partner has an amazing story herself.

Oksana Masters a young women who was adopted from the Ukraine by a single mom at the age of 7. She became a double amputee as a result of deadly radiation from the horrific 1986 Chernobyl disaster that caused severe birth defects; she has strived to live life to the fullest, not letting her disability define her. She’s an internationally decorated athlete in cycling, rowing and skiing. Her performance earned Oksana the 2012 US. Rowing’s ‘Woman of the Year.’

When asked about what the training looks like reach the Olympic competitive level, Rob says “its four years full of sacrifice.” Athletes begin an intense 4 year training regimen that causes them to miss weddings, vacations, personal relationships and sums it up by saying “You might lose friends but that’s what it takes, you have to  put the Olympics first.” The training depends on the athlete and the sport but generally includes aerobic, anaerobic and eventually (just prior to competing) peeking. This is overexerting oneself to push your fitness level as high as possible. This training takes place 6 to 7 days a week and is around 25 hours per week, what a demanding job!

We asked Rob what it felt like to make it to the medal stand.

“You’ve got all the stresses leading up to competing” Rob says. “You’re representing your country, everyone who supports you and the culmination of all your training but when you make it to the medal stand, you get to relax and be care free.” 

Rob what and who are you watching for in the Rio games?

“I’m watching the rowing because of experience and understanding of the sport but whatever’s on, I like it all. All things American!”

In conclusion Rob was asked if there are any surprises for him in the 2016 Rio games. Rob says there were a few tennis upsets he didn’t expect but really he loves what he’s seeing.


A notable quote from a true American hero Rob says “American women have more freedoms than most other countries in the world and that shows because they’re really kicking ass this year!”  We don’t disagree and are proud of our American athletes this year, as America leads with 67 current medals, 26 of which are gold!

Rob’s next quest would challenge even the world’s toughest Iron Man. They only swim, run and bike (1) Marathon! Stay tuned.

Juan Perez - The Good Times Too

There are bad days and there are good days in every life. Sometimes for a Disabled veteran and their family there are more bad days than good. At our house we make a conscious effort to ensure that we have more good days than bad. Sometimes that means making a joke and laughing through the struggles, other times that means putting everything off and going to watch a movie as a family, occasionally it means spending the weekend doing fun things with great friends that are visiting from out of state at just the right time. Some of you know that our family is in the middle of one difficult event after another the last few months and 2016 has defiantly been a trying year for us, however, I can tell you that it has also been one of the best years as well. We work hard to focus our thoughts on the positive and how we are growing and changing individually and as a family. At the end of July Colorado Springs had a terrible storm that damaged many homes, cars, and neighborhoods including ours. Although we lost a few windows and have substantial damage we had an exciting weekend ahead with some dear friends that we were looking forward to. We patched up the broken windows, filled the insurance claims and spent 2 days having a blast with the Daughenbaughs. I love wood work and spent a few days prepping for Donny and Sarah to get here by making a custom Texans sign for Sarah. Apparently she has poor taste in football teams and this is her favorite team. Only kind of playing about the team choice thing. We all got up EARLY Sunday morning to do the incline. The incline is a Colorado Springs attraction that we love to go on ourselves. It is a one mile stair hike straight up a mountain that overlooks Colorado Springs. The hike is difficult to say the least but it is one activity that we love to do. We also explored Garden of the gods and took some amazing photos and climbed some fun rocks. At a time that could have been very stressful and we could have allowed the world to beat us down we choose to celebrate a great friendship that has grown over the years. We sat around a fire pit and made s’mores with our children, we ran on a secret mission to surprise a kiddo with a book that she really wanted, we cooked breakfast for an army of children, and shared drinks at a hopping bar and grill for the first time. Life literally is what you make and we are choosing to make the best of it no matter what is coming our way. I hope everyone takes a minute to focus on the GOOD that is in everyday and the good things in life like Great friends and the beauty of the outdoors

U.S. Veterans in the 2016 Rio Olympics

Our United States veterans are undoubtedly heroes. They protect our country from enemies foreign and domestic, and serve by preserving our constitutional rights to live in a free country.

Did you know that some of our heroes are going on to serve our country in a different way? That's right! They have gone to the 2016 Olympic games in Rio!

Here is a list of the veterans to look out for:

USMC 2nd Lieutenant David Higgins - Shooting -  50m rifle prone, he competes on August 12th

Army Sgt. First Class Keith Sanderson - Shooting - 25m rapid fire pistol, he competes August 12-13th

Army Sgt. First Class Michael McPhail - Shooting - 50m rifle prone, he competes August 12th

Army Sgt. First Class Glen Eller - Shooting - Double trap - he competes August 10th

Army Sgt. First Class - Josh Richmond - Shooting - Double Trap - he competes August 10th

Army Spc. Dan Lowe - Shooting - 10m Air Rifle - He competes today August 8th

Army Veteran and two time Olympic gold medalist Vincent Hancock - Skeet - he competes August 13th

Air Force First Lieutenant Cale Simmons - Track and Field - Pole Vault - he competes August 13 -20th

Army Second Lieutenant Sam Kendricks - Track and Field - Pole Vault - he competes August 13-20th

Army Staff Sgt. John Nunn - Track and Field - 50K Race Walk - he competes August 19th

Army Spc. Leonard Korir - Track and Field - 10,000m Run - he competes August 12-13th

Army Spc. Shadrack Kipchirchir - Track and Field - 10,000m Run - he competes August 12-13th

Army Spc. Paul Chelimo - Track and Field - 5,000m Run - he competes August 20th

Arm Sgt. Hillary Bor - Tack and Field - 3,000m Steeple Chase - she competes August 15th and 17th

Army Sgt. Nathan Schrimsher - Modern Pentathalon- he competes August 18th and 20th

Navy Lt. Edward King - Rowing - he competes August  6-13th

We want to wish ALL of the athletes who are competing for the United States of America in the Olympics this year good luck!

The U.S. already has 13 gold medals!

Lets keep up the good work heroes!