Founder’s Message

Welcome to Our Summer 2022 Issue of AHERO Magazine!

Once again, we have many great stories here for you to read, plus some excellent photography we’re sure you’ll enjoy. But first, as founder and CEO of AHERO, I have the tremendous honor of making an announcement that, for years, I could only dream about making to y’all.

As you know, “Community Supporting AHERO” has continued to be the theme behind our drive to provide our wounded and injured Veterans with the anticipated AHERO MajGen James E. Livingston Lodge. Now I can proudly reveal that the amazing, far-reaching AHERO community has made that goal a reality!

Gifted recently with a contribution which, when added to all the funds sent in specifically toward the purchase of that eventual Lodge by our hundreds of generous donors, we have been able to close on that “dream” property. It consists of not six acres (as originally planned) but 40 beautiful acres, complete with an existing building, and it is located only a short walk from AHERO Farms in Shorter, Alabama.

As of June 17, 2022, our AHERO nonprofit organization has taken possession of its new headquarters and Lodge!

This long fought-for victory will enable us to help hundreds more Veterans by bringing them together here in the near future to find support and healing in enjoyment, nature, and friendship. And to spread the word about our mission, letting other Veterans know that their community of peers is out there wanting to help, and that they are not alone. And it will provide the space into which this growing organization can also welcome First Responders whose service to our communities and our nation is more vital than ever.

And all of this is thanks to you, our wonderful AHERO community.

Learn how it finally all came together in a story here with the crazy title of “A Champ Is Someone Who Gets Up Even When They Can’t,” by writer and AHERO volunteer, Jeremy Clarke.

But before you do, I would also ask you to read on, because I am about to speak of some of the quite incredible “helpers” whose truly astonishing generosity has made this huge AHERO moment and so much of AHERO’s service to our heroes possible.

AHERO CONTRIBUTORS: GIANTS OF GENEROSITY

I won’t have room to mention all of our “greatest hits” here but want to mention a few of those whose constant and caring support keeps us steady-on as we go, always helping to make all that AHERO does possible.

To Matt McDonald and his wonderful wife Amy, and daughters Abby and Avery: For years, you have continued to be one of our biggest supporters with not only your personal financial contributions and continuous fundraising efforts, but also by donating the use of your beautiful, very top-notch 72’ Viking Sport Fishing vessel, the exquisite Breathe Easy, to our Pensacola Beach Warrior Hookup each and every year. We can never thank you, your family, and your Breathe Easy team enough, so we salute you, sir, for your constant love and loyal support!

To Art Farve and his wonderful team at The Wharf at Orange Beach: Our thanks to you all for another fantastic AHERO Warrior Hookup! And congratulations to Sam Jackson who just retired from the City of Orange Beach Fire Department after faithful service and sacrifice.

Thank you to Keith Sabel of Sabel Steel, to Wind Creek Casino and the Poarch Creek Band of Indians. Thank you to Ken Odom and to Coleman Bryars from Alabama Land Title. Thank you to the American Legion Riders and American Legion Post 340, who now have helped to get us to that “nut” we had to crack in order to secure our Lodge for the Veterans.

There are many, many more … but in particular I want to say thank you to all our supporters who have made donations over the years. Every one of your donations, no matter how great or small, has lifted our hearts for the spirit and love we know is behind it and for the positive impact we know it will have on this organization.

You have had the consideration and taken the time to make a contribution to AHERO. You have amazed us with the fierceness of your concern for those who stood up for us all but now cannot muster the strength to save themselves. We can only hope to make you as proud as you make us.

OUR NEVER-ENDING AHERO ADVENTURE GOES ON

It seems there are more and more people and organizations out there who want to learn about and spread the word on Veteran suicide so they can help us in our mission to prevent it. Be sure to read the piece in this section titled “The Price We Continue To Pay,” which offers a deep dive into what’s behind these numbers that continue to haunt us all. It is from an extensive research work by Thomas Suitt, Ph.D., published by The Watson Institute’s Costs of War Project. This year is set to be the biggest year that AHERO has seen since we started over a decade ago. All our programs are continuing to grow with the outstanding support of each program Ambassador (see them in action here in a story about the terrific Stuttgart Duck Hunt early this year), and we continue to connect our Veterans, and now our First Responders, with job opportunities in the natural resources and conservation field. Regaining a sense of purpose by working in these fields is life-affirming, and our participating warriors are getting to experience this every day.

A severely wounded Veteran, the late SSGT Josh Burnett (on right), is pictured here in Lee Stuckey’s kitchen with friend and fellow Veteran, USMC CWO Rick Hayes.

Finally, we are so blessed to have the Lomax Assembly of God from Clanton, Alabama, in our AHERO family. It has been more than five years since SSGT Josh Burnette, US Army Veteran, tragically lost his battle to post traumatic stress. Sadly, within a week after his death his favorite cabin at AHERO Farms was flooded and destroyed. We have been working to rebuild this cabin since this then … but now the Lomax Serve Team has stepped up to rebuild and bring some triumph out of that tragedy. Thanks to Pastor Vint Norris, Pastor Erron Price, Pastor Chris Newton, Pastor Jeremy Pierce, Pastor Van Headley, and their awesome team, we are poised to move on to phase II of the SSGT Josh Burnette cabin rebuild.

I have no doubt that this year will continue to be one of the most impactful for our AHERO community thanks to all of you who continue to support our mission. Please continue to help us raise awareness within your social media communities, families, and friends. Your efforts in doing so can make a huge difference in growing the number of deserving Veterans and First Responders AHERO can serve this year and in years to come.God bless you all … and Semper Fidelis!

Lee

Lee Stuckey

Founder and CEO

AHERO Magazine

Sgt Dan Geiser (USMC), a member of the the Lomax Assembly of God volunteer construction crew, displays a smiling, can-do attitude as he labors on completing the Josh Burnette cabin.