The 22

You are probably wondering what "The 22" means. Well, 22 is the number of veterans who take their own life every day. Veterans struggle with depression, loneliness, hopelessness, and all sorts of emotions that drive them to feel they are a burden and take their own lives. There are long lines at the VA and limited resources, some don't have a family to lean back on and the support they so desperately need.

This certainly is a daunting subject, but there needs to be awareness. September is "Suicide Awareness" month. And as this month is coming to a close it's important to remember that, no one deserves to feel like they should take their own life, especially our veterans. All life is precious, no matter skin color, gender, profession, religion, and other choices in life that we may make.

If you or someone you know is thinking out harming themselves, please call a trained specialist who will talk to you confidentially and give you the reasons why you shouldn't harm yourself.

This is one of the national listed suicide prevention hotline numbers: 1-800-273-8255

The Website is: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
The website has a specific tab for veterans.

Remember every day to be kind to strangers, you never know if something as simple as a caring smile could turn someones life around.

The Patriot’s Day Run

This past weekend my husband and I took part in the Run Bling Repeat Virtual race that is set up to help support wounded veterans and their families through the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes. We purchased our run online, printed out our bib’s and we were out the door to run our 6.2 miles. It was a hot 91-degree day with 100% humidity, which for most avid runners is tough but we managed.  Running has been a big part of my life for the last few years. Running has given me the ability to manage my anxiety while relieving stress so that I can be the best wife and mother I can be. As a caregiver it’s necessary to care for yourself. Setting aside time for you each day allows you to take better care of your loved ones. As a wife and caregiver I don’t leave my home much during the week and I have very little adult interaction as well during the week unless I’m on the phone for work.  This sometimes creates seclusion and a little bit of depression. Being able to put on my running shoes and have time to myself makes all the difference in the world.

Now, not all the time do my husband and I run together. He’s much faster than me and at times too motivational. The type of motivation that can get someone a little angry if they’re not feeling the run or don’t have the energy to keep pushing forward. But today we ran together. This was in honor of many things. To remember lives lost so tragically on 9-11, to continue to support the brave men and woman who continue to put their lives on line and the ones who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we can continue to live free.

My husband is a Marine who was injured during a foot patrol back in 2004 in Iraq. He took a bullet to the face, breaking his jaw and stopping 1 cm before entering his brain. To this day the bullet resides near his brain surrounded by around all major nerves making surgery impossible to remove it. The bullet and his injury cause him daily pain and is reminder that he will forever be a wounded veteran. Many of our family and friends know that my husband does not allow his injury to define who he is as husband, father or Marine. Every day he pushes himself to do better and be better for himself and our family. On our run this weekend he did just that. He not only pushed himself but he pushed me. I complained multiple times on wanting to stop due extreme heat exhaustion but he wouldn’t let me. He reminded me each time that we’re not doing this for us, and each time it would bring things back into perspective for me and I would continue running. Right before our run my husband grabbed our American Flag that hangs in our front yard as you will see in the picture. We received waves, thumbs up and some would honk their horn showing their support, other’s would just stare wondering what we were doing but for me, I felt pride and so much love for my husband. Not only for what he has done but for what he continues to do today in helping our wounded veterans and their families. It was also very overwhelming at times, knowing things could have been very different for our family if he never came home.

We started and finished together.


When I told Donny that I was going to add something he said to the story, he said: “It was hot, it was tough but it was worth it. The medal says “Let’s roll” which is what the passengers said before they attempted to overtake the terrorists on flight 93. That flight crashed and all lives were lost. Their actions inspired me and the memory of all the lives lost at Ground Zero motivated me. The spirit of service members who’ve bravely given their lives in defense of America in the Global War on Terror carried me. It was tough but it was for the right reasons, quitting wasn’t an option”.

Beach Week - Jennifer Urbany

My husband Donald, myself, and our children had the opportunity of a lifetime to go to Bethany Beach in Delaware on a retreat put on by Operation Seas The Day. This event is meant to be a week of relaxation and full of appreciation for our wounded veterans and family. We were welcomed by a huge gathering at the local VFW, where there was a ceremony and lunch dedicated to thanking the families, then we were escorted to the condo that was donated by the owner, where we would be staying for the week. The condo was beautiful and had an amazing view of the ocean. The fridge and pantries were already stocked with food and there were gifts laid out for Donald, the kids, and me. The local businesses, and restaurants donated free meals for the veterans and their families, as well as the put put golf course and arcade holding a family night for all of the families who wanted to participate. There was a party and gathering every day just to honor us and the other veterans, and for the community to show how much they appreciated our service.

View from our room

Our host, Mike

We had so many great stories to share, from walking on the board walk and shopping, to being honored in a parade through Bethany Beach while the entire city stood by to wave, show love and appreciation. I went on a spa day where I received a massage, and manicure. Donald and our oldest son Bennett, got to go golfing. Every family was assigned a host family that helped the families, and show them around.  We by far had the best host ever, he drove me around the Tanger outlets while I shopped, he took the boys and Donald to do whatever they wanted to do while I was at the salon, and could not put our littlest one, Lincoln, down. It was the longest time in a while I have been able to eat with two hands. We all enjoyed the ocean, playing in the sand, and being so warmly welcomed by the locals. Operation Seas the Day wanted the vacation to be completely at no cost to  us, so they gave all the families a gift card to shop and to pay for any other extras we may want or incur. They even gave us parking passes to park where ever we wanted! Everywhere in Bethany beach had a parking meter. The local police even gave us passes...as long as we weren't being wreckless, we technically had a "get out of a ticket" free pass. (How cool is that? That doesn't happen everyday.)

Watching the concert

The parade was amazing, everyone in attendance, was escorted by police and fire trucks in buses to a venue where we were treated to a dinner and Bruce Springsteen cover band concert that had fireworks at the end to just add to the celebration. Flags were flying every where, people standing on the street, people waving and saying thank you, it all was just so overwhelming and humbling to see so many people really care about the sacrifice that our service members and families have made. We  have never seen a town so dedicated to our veterans, and wish more places were like Bethany Beach, DE.

Playing at the bay 

We were treated to a boat ride to Assateague to see the wild ponies, and play in the bay.  We had a picnic lunch on the shore and splashed in the water. That was an experience that made life long memories for the us. The boys absolutely loved the boat ride, the owners of the boat even allowed the boys to drive the boat, that completely made the their day. Seeing the smiles on their faces just made it all the more better.

Lunch and Dinner parties happened every day. All the families were treated like VIP's, we were all waited on hand and foot, there were so many things to do and so much food to eat! Even the Governor and Mayor of the town showed up to these dinner and lunch events! One lunch included the local girls soccer team showing support by sponsoring and being our waitresses for a barbecue lunch, and one dinner included photographers taking family portraits that would have otherwise cost hundreds of dollars for free.

There was also time where the caregivers and veterans spent time apart in meetings where they could relate to each other and discuss resources for support and various other important information with one another. It was a confidential setting where we could vent, relate, and talk about the similarities and differences in our lives with out veterans. Sometimes when you think you are the only one dealing with an issue, it's comforting to know that there are others walking the same mile in your shoes.

We also made memories at the beach, boogie boarding, playing in the sand, dipping our toes in the water and the boys burying their daddy in the sand.

Then there was the closing ceremony on Sunday. The local fire station hosted a breakfast for all the families in attendance to thank us one last time for our service. There was a moment of silence for all of those who lives were lost on 9/11, then the hosts of the event went on to recognize all the veterans and gave us caregivers flowers. We all took a picture together to remember the whole event and the friends we made, hugged each other, hugged our host (who I could not thank enough for holding my 9 month hold so much so I could remember what have two arms felt like), put some gas in our car and drove home with some lifelong amazing memories and a once in a lifetime experience.

Look at that form! 

We made it! 

Bennett's first oyster

9/11 Where were you? - Joan Cadena

If you ask any American where they were when they heard we had been attacked September 11^th, they can tell you. Most of them will even follow it by saying,” I remember it like it was yesterday.” When someone even says 9/11, it brings back emotions I can remember as if I was finding out for the first time all over again.  I remember the day perfectly, I was in middle school, just finished gym class and the period was almost over. Then our principal came over the PA system announcing our nation had just attacked. I then went to my next class where the teachers tried to keep structure, but there was a distinct ambiance throughout the school, our day came to a complete halt.  The classrooms that had a television had the news on, I’m sure some of the teachers and some of the students even watched as the second plane hit.  The teachers tried to keep it together, but did not attempt to keep the normal lesson plan going. We were living a day that we so often read about in the history books.  I remember my mom picking me up from school and thinking, what a beautiful day it was in Ohio, almost perfect actually. As I rolled down my window in 70 degree weather and let the breeze hit my face admiring the flawless blue skies with thick white puffy clouds, sunshine, I tried to comprehend what was happening in New York, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania.  My whole body was overcome with anger, sadness and confusion.

As we ate dinner on Sunday, my husband said “I still get angry about this day,” and I just thought to myself and then said out loud “you know, so do I.”. This may be true for many, and not for some others.  But then I started to think, how many joined the military after September 11^th? How many people lost family members in the planes, in the towers, our first responders?  It has been said to be the deadliest attack for law enforcement and police officers in the history of the United States.  That is not even counting the soldiers we have lost in the war since.  I watched a statement that George Bush made about the attacks that day and it was something along the lines of, “we hear you”, speaking to the organization responsible for this heinous act of terrorism, and then stated “NOW, YOU WILL HEAR US!”.

As a nation that day we came together like I’ve never experienced before, or since.  It was a wave of togetherness felt around the nation.  It was like a double edge sword, it ^th I just want to bring to mind all of the innocent lives lost that day show gratitude to all of our past and present firefighters, police officers, military members who protect and serve.

was amazing, but disgusting at the same time.  The reason I mention this is because that togetherness I am talking about I see among the military and veteran community.  Not only do the veterans look out for each other, there are amazing organizations like the Coalition that help to make sure our veterans and their families don’t sink in the aftermath of  tragedy.  I really don’t know where we would be at today if we didn’t have other fellow veterans and the Coalition to help, and that is something that can never be taken away, ever.  So in light of the anniversary September 11^th I just want to bring to mind all of the innocent lives lost that day show gratitude to all of our past and present firefighters, police officers, military members who protect and serve.

Labor Day

We recently celebrated Labor Day.  So many people think of Labor Day as simply a day off of work to celebrate the end of Summer.  The day isn’t about recognizing a specific person, group, or event but rather America’s workforce as a whole and the many achievements that have been contributed to our society. 

Before my husband lost three limbs in Afghanistan, I was a full-time employed mother of a newborn baby and the wife of a deployed serviceman.  All too often, I didn’t have the opportunity or luxury of taking a day off, let alone actually spending it relaxing.  The day I received the phone call (October 9^th, 2010) saying my husband was injured was a day that I walked away from a management position of a job I had held for 8 years. I had worked with the company since first getting my driver’s license and some of the employees practically raised me and became family.

After months went by with my husband’s recovery, I quickly began to realize that our situation would be a life-long process.  Granted my husband is strong-willed, over-achieving and typically tries to do everything on his own, I knew in my heart it was going to be extremely difficult for me to ever return to a job that I would be working 40+ hours a week along with raising our daughter.  This terrified me.  I needed to work for my sanity and well-being.  I needed to feel like I was contributing to society.

Today, I feel very blessed to have found the Heroes Thanking Heroes program. I have regained confidence and social aspects of my life that I had lost during our hard times.  I’m able to make a steady income for my family and still have a flexible schedule with the ability to work from home in case my family needs me.  I flourished into a team lead position and have the opportunity to work with some of the most incredible veterans and caregivers.   

We celebrated Labor Day very simply this year. My husband and I each chose something that would make us each feel accomplished of our work.  Generally, I would be completely against the idea of paying a housekeeper to clean our home.  This was my gift to myself this year.  The relief of coming home Monday afternoon to a beautifully clean house was worth so much more to me than the hard earned money I spent to make it happen.  My husband, being the avid hunter that he is, requested that we spend the evening in the woods welcoming opening weekend of archery season.  Though we didn’t make it more than a couple of hours due to the heat and boredom of a 6 year old, I could tell that he was beyond happy just having us there with him in the hunting blind. It’s the small things that mean the most.

By: Ashlee Williams