Goodnewspaper: The Veterans Edition

@GOODGOODGOODCO

CELEBRATE GOOD NEWS. BECOME GOOD NEWS.

ISSUE 07

Welcome to the Goodnewspaper.

You are now a part of a global community that celebrates the people, ideas, and movements that are changing the world for the better.

It’s when times are hardest that it’s most important that we shine a light on good news.

Not "feel-good" news. Hope — real hope — no matter how messy it may be.

There’s a lot of good in the world that needs to be celebrated. And we need to be a part of it.

H E L LO H E L LO!

WHY VETERANS? Welcome to our first themed issue of the Goodnewspaper,

3

WHO MAKES THE GOODNEWSPAPER? 2) I’ve recently met and interviewed dozens of veterans

Editor-in-Chief

through my work at Good Good Good. The veterans I’ve met

Branden Harvey - @brandenharvey

Up until now each issue has largely been a celebration of

have diverse life experiences and opinions spanning the po-

the previous months in good news. But the interesting thing

litical spectrum, but they share the unifying experience of

Managing Editor & Writer

about good news is that it's cyclical. Since the world contin-

serving their country. If I've ever had a stereotype of who a

ues to become a better place on many counts (yes, there are

veteran is, it’s shattered.

centered all around veterans.

Kailey Thompson - @kaileythompson Art Director Carra Sykes - @carrasykes

exceptions), stories become repetitive. The number of peo-

3) Many issues we care deeply about at Good Good Good

ple living with HIV/AIDS continues to decline. Life expec-

intersect with the veteran community. Veterans are over-

Community & Communications Lead

tancy for the global population continues to increase. The

represented in their experience of homelessness. Veterans

Megan Burns - @meganburnsyou

good news goes on. It was time to begin diving into specific

have terribly high rates of suicide. And mental health is an

themes to ensure we’re always delivering fresh and inter-

important conversation in the veteran community.

esting good news.

4) Even among an incredibly diverse set of life experienc-

Guest Contributor Nate Carden - @thebunkerlabs

So why veterans? We never anticipated we would make

es, I’ve been found a few common threads among veterans,

Creative Strategist

an issue all about veterans. I’m personally a pacifist who

including a drive to serve a higher purpose and possessing

Sammi Harvey - @sammiharveyco

never considered joining the military. I cringe at how much

the leadership skills and determination to follow through.

money is spent on war and how little is spent on foreign as-

I’ve seen time and time again stories of veterans creating

sistance. I don’t come from a military family. I get frustrat-

admirable and positive change in the world. So with this is-

ed when blind patriotism thwarts critique of the many ways

sue, we’ve decided to celebrate the good being done by and

my country has fallen short. I lost a cousin in Afghanistan

for veterans.

Centerfold Poster Featured Artist Carra Sykes - @carrasykes Podcast Producer Chad Michael Snavely - @chadmichaelsnavely

and saw firsthand the heartbreak of war on a family. I've

This issue is not a celebration of war and conflict nor is

seen a number of friends come back from war with signif-

it a political issue. This issue is 1) a celebration of the good

Becky Simpson

icant mental and physical health struggles. And all of that

that veterans do in the world and the good others do for vet-

Caleb Campbell

combined has weighed on me. Truthfully, I have a general

erans, 2) an opportunity to build empathy, and 3) a celebra-

Diana Stone

aversion to the military on the whole.

tion of the diversity of veteran experiences — and the good

Ian DeGraff

that unites them.

Zebrina Warner

At the same time, I maintain a deep, personal respect for loved ones who have joined the military. Their reasons are

I sincerely hope you enjoy this issue, learn as much as

diverse, and their sacrifice is noble and generous. My gen-

my team and I did, and find a way to pay it forward. Check

eral discomfort around the topic has eased over time, espe-

out the Good Bars at the bottom of each page for ways you

cially the last few years. Here's why:

can get involved. We hope you share your copy of the Good-

1) A few of my closest friends and biggest heroes have joined the military. I believe in them and their leadership,

newspaper with a friend or a veteran when you’re done.

and I love to imagine how the world will be a better place

-BRANDEN HARVEY

with them steering whatever ship they’re on.

@BRANDENHARVEY

Special thanks to...

•••••••••••••••••

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VETERANS DOING GOOD

4

through their Mindful Resilience Program:

portunity to connect with other veterans,

told the BBC. “It doesn't matter about eco-

breath, meditation, mindful movement,

Hopkins said.

nomic status, race, or creed. I don't even

guided rest, and gratitude. For those re-

“Our most meaningful finding was how

covering from post-traumatic stress, these

much these men — almost all of whom were

tools can help relieve symptoms of nervous

practicing yoga for the first time — enjoyed

If his clients can pay for the parts, he

system dysfunction, sleep difficulties, and

the practice, believed it had improved their

will fix the problem at zero cost. One wom-

severe emotional pain. The organization

physical and/or mental health, and viewed

an he helped was single mother Tamesha

also offers multi-day retreats to offer ex-

it as a promising treatment option, suggest-

Reyes — who is also a veteran — who need-

tended time outside of a veterans’ typical

ing that yoga could be a highly acceptable

ed a working car to drive her young son to

environment to aid in healing as well as

complementary approach for male veter-

school and herself to college classes. He

A California-based organization is on a

provide space to restore relational wounds

ans,” Hopkins told Yoga Journal.

called around to find her the best deal on

mission to help veterans and their commu-

with loved ones.

This Organization Wants to Bring Yoga to Veterans and Their Communities

care if people take advantage, I will help them, regardless.”

parts and even found coupons to help bring

nities recover and build resilience through

A small study of 21 male veterans pre-

yoga classes all across the United States.

sented at a 2017 American Psychological

Working in partnership with veterans,

Association convention found male vet-

Ely spent more than three years in com-

active-duty military personnel, student

erans who had elevated depression scores

bat in Iraq and Afghanistan and is now

veterans’ organizations, and other non-

before a twice-weekly yoga program had a

disabled, walking with a cane because of

profit organizations, instructors with the

significant reduction in depression symp-

knee and back injuries, but the injuries

Veterans Yoga Project — which has several

toms after the eight-week program.

don’t stop him from helping others. And he

veterans on its executive staff — teach over

down the cost. When she bought the parts, he repaired the car, all for free.

"Yoga is unique in that it combines sever-

studies special education for students with

al things that empirical research has shown

disabilities full-time, so his good deeds are

Noted on the organization’s website, “not

to be very helpful for improving depression

done in his free time. Many of the auto

all veterans are recovering from trauma,

and other mental health concerns: exer-

and not all people who are recovering from

cise, mindfulness, and breathing practic-

trauma are veterans.” The organization

es, to name a few," said Lindsey B. Hopkins,

This Veteran Fixes Cars For Free and Never Turns Anyone Away

part stores in his area now give him a dis-

originally launched as an effort to support

Ph.D., a research fellow at the San Francis-

Adam Ely, a former paratrooper and hel-

helping others helps him cope with flash-

only veterans recovering from trauma-re-

co Veterans Affairs Health Care Center,

icopter mechanic, had what he called a

backs and other post-traumatic stress

lated challenges but has since expanded to

to the news website Yoga Journal. "All of

“lightbulb moment” when he offered to fix

disorder symptoms.

all veterans and their families and com-

these things likely played a role in the ben-

his daughter’s friend’s car. Ely, who is from

"I have a skill that allows me to help

munities. And many veterans have under-

efits that these veterans experienced."

Oklahoma, realized he saved his friend

folks,” Ely told the BBC. “All it takes is time.

100 free yoga classes each week.

count after hearing about the good work he is doing to help the community. He says

gone training and mentorship through the

The social aspect of yoga may also play a

about $80 and felt inspired to help others

… It's such a great feeling to be able to give

organization to pass on their yoga skills to

role. Many of the veterans said they derived

in need. So he and his wife, Toni, set up

back to people. I get so much more out of it

other veterans.

a great deal of benefit (in terms of mental

Hard Luck Automotive Services in 2017.

than they do — to see that their burden is

Veterans Yoga Project uses five tools

health and well-being) from having the op-

"I've never turned anyone away,” Ely

taken off them."

HOW TO THANK VETERANS FOR THEIR SERVICE GO OD

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Every veteran is different — but something as simple as acknowledging and showing appreciation for a veteran's service can go along way. Say thanks, and if it feels right, you can follow up with respectful questions.

Donate to organizations that support veterans. The rest of this issue is filled with great organizations making a difference in the lives of veterans and their loved ones — so find a few to support.

Volunteer with an organization that make a difference in the lives of veterans. Usually the best way to get connected as a volunteer is to just call and ask how you can help. This issue is filled with great orgs to volunteer with.

VETERANS DOING GOOD

5 The interpreter he heard about, Hameed Khalid Dar-

A HERO IS SOMEONE WHO HAS GIVEN HIS OR HER LIFE TO SOMETHING BIGGER THAN ONESELF. — Joseph Campbell

weesh, was detained after arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, despite holding a special immigrant visa granted to American military translators.

Darweesh worked for the U.S. as an interpreter, engineer, and contractor from 2003 to 2013, continuing even

Pat Tillman Scholar Went to Law School to Help Veterans

Veterans Rushed to Help When Muslim Interpreters Got Blocked at US Airports

Angie Menard is starting a new chapter in her life fo-

Under a 2017 executive order on immigration from Presi-

grate to the U.S. It took him two years of interviews and

cused on helping veterans. Following in her family’s foot-

dent Donald Trump, an Iraqi who worked as an interpret-

security screenings to obtain his visa, but all that seemed

steps, Menard enlisted in the military after high school

er with American forces was barred from entering the

worthless when he arrived at the airport with the execu-

and served as a medic in the Gulf War before returning

United States. When an army veteran who was working on

tive order in place.

home to Tucson, Arizona.

a home improvement project at his Maryland home heard

"The transition was difficult,” she told the news organi-

the news, it stopped him cold.

zation Arizona’s Family. “There weren't a lot of services for veterans back then.”

Jeffrey Buchalter, who works as a law enforcement in-

as Iraqi colleagues were assassinated for their work supporting the American mission. He then wanted to immi-

Many veterans were infuriated by the story and, like Buchalter, were inspired to join protests in their communities.

structor for the Department of Homeland Security, served

"The idea that we would be detaining Iraqi interpreters

After 20 years working in the private sector, Menard

multiple tours as a military policeman in Iraq, has four

who put their lives on the line to help troops like myself

decided to go to law school to launch a practice to spe-

Purple Hearts, and sustained injuries from gunfire and

in Iraq is disgraceful," wrote veteran Jon Soltz, chairman

cifically serve veterans. She received a scholarship from

explosive devices during his service that sent him recov-

of an Iraq veterans' political action committee, VoteVets.

the Pat Tillman Foundation, the organization named for

ering for more than two years at a medical center. He’s

Protesters and immigration attorneys showed up at air-

the man who put his NFL career on hold to enlist in the

now married with children and thanks interpreters in part

ports around the nation, and the American Civil Liberties

armed forces and who was tragically killed while serving

for keeping him alive on his tours by acting as guides in

Union filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump adminis-

in Afghanistan.

their country.

tration on Darweesh's behalf. Darweesh was freed, and his

"I think I have some things in common with Pat,” Menard

So when he heard the interpreter was blocked from en-

ACLU lawsuit later led to a late-night ruling from a federal

told Arizona’s Family. “We both had great careers, but at

tering the U.S., Buchalter told his daughter and son they

judge in New York, who temporarily barred American offi-

some point, we both realized we wanted to do something

were going to take a trip: a two-hour drive to Dulles Inter-

cials from deporting arriving travelers who otherwise had

more meaningful. I wanted to give back to my community

national Airport outside of Washington, D.C. to do some-

legal travel documents.

and wanted to serve.”

thing he had never done before: join a protest.

Even while she was a student, Menard worked as an ad-

"This is not what we fought for, having been in Iraq and

vocate by representing veterans in Treatment Court and

working with these interpreters," Buchalter told the Los

veterans who have been denied benefits from the VA.

Angeles Times.

After graduation, she launched her practice, which she

When he saw an Iraqi family emerge from detention, he

will devote to helping veterans and people with disabilities

presented them with something he hoped would convey

of all ages and backgrounds.

goodwill — a Purple Heart.

WHAT'S THIS? THIS IS THE GOOD BAR. We believe in celebrating good and then joining in and making a difference ourselves. The Good Bar is full of recommendations from the Good Good Good community on how to take action in meaningful ways.

HOW TO SUPPORT INTERPRETERS WHO HELPED U.S. TROOPS GO OD

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Build your sense of empathy by learning more about the difficult experiences of Iraqi and Afghan interpreters.

Start with the Smithsonian's article: "The Tragic Fate of the Afghan Interpreters the U.S. Left Behind."

Donate to the organization No One Left Behind, which envisions a world where every wartime ally is honored for their brave service and where they find safety and opportunity in a new and welcoming community.

Send a letter to your elected representative about supporting our wartime allies. No One Left Behind made it easy to craft your message to send to your reps at nooneleft.org.

WO R D F RO M A V E T E R A N

6

Instead of thanking a veteran for their service, start asking them what world-changing thing they’re doing now.

When I tell people I work for a nonprofit

up to serve our country. Service is in our

— will be the day that our nation starts to

organization that helps veterans, I usual-

blood. And it doesn’t disappear when we

work together again. The reality is veter-

ly get looks of sympathy. People respond

leave the military.

ans are uniquely qualified to lead our na-

that it’s a shame veterans who have done

Following World War II, almost half of

tion economically and politically. Ask vet-

so much for our country are now home-

the veterans went on to own or operate a

erans to lead in business and politics, and

less and wounded and suffer from PTSD.

business. Fred Smith started FedEx, Phil

not only will the economy get stronger and

I thank them for caring, and sometimes, if

Knight started Nike, and Bob McDonald led

foreign policy be more thoughtful, but vet-

I can, I kindly tell them that I don’t want

Procter & Gamble. These veterans were re-

erans will be better for it as well.

their sympathy.

sponsible for one of the greatest economic

While in the military, these veterans

booms in history.

Instead of thanking a veteran for their service, start asking them what

felt like heroes, but when they get out all

Fast forward, and the reality today is less

world-changing thing they’re doing now.

too many people see them as broken even

than 6 percent of veterans are becoming

Remind them that our country needs their

though an overwhelming portion of those

entrepreneurs, even though 25 percent say

leadership now more than ever, and I guar-

leaving the military don’t struggle with

they want to start a business. We as a coun-

antee we’ll start to see veteran homeless-

homelessness or post-traumatic stress. In

try need our veterans and military spouses

ness, suicide, and drug use all decline.

fact they are stronger, more resilient, and

to start businesses because when they do,

better leaders than when they went in. If

they are more likely to be successful, hire

we remind veterans that they are heroes

other veterans, donate more money to their

Nate Carden attended the United

who are fundamentally oriented to service

communities, and engage in civic activities

States Air Force Academy and served

and are better for what they went through

including running for office. We’re working

in the Air Force as a hospital admin-

in the military, we have a chance at healing

on this at Bunker Labs and each of us have

istrator. He is currently the national

the divide in our country.

a role to play in encouraging this.

director of programs and partner-

I get it though. Sad stories attract view-

The day our society starts looking to

ships for Bunker Labs, a national

ers, readers, and funding dollars. But it’s

veterans for leadership after they leave

network of veteran entrepreneurs

frustrating as a veteran to only hear stories

the military — not just during their service

dedicated to helping new veteran en-

about veteran homelessness and wounded

trepreneurs start their own business.

warriors — the first things people think of

As of January 2019, more than 1,000

when they think about veterans. When we

startups have completed a Bunker

as a society look at veterans as help cases,

Labs program and have generated

we end up perpetuating the problem.

more than $117 million in revenue.

I don’t know anyone who signed up for

Learn more at bunkerlabs.org and

the military so that they could get health-

follow along at @thebunkerlabs.

care benefits, pity, or handouts. We signed

HOW TO SUPPORT MORE VETERAN LEADERSHIP GO OD

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Just like Nade Carden said, instead of simply thanking a veteran for their service, go a step further and genuinely ask a veteran what world-changing thing they're doing right now.

Donate to With Honor Action — a cross-partisan movement dedicated to promoting principled veteran leadership in elected public service for the purpose of a less polarized government working for and trusted by Americans.

Support those who are working to serve their country.

Buy from veterans. Campaign for veterans. Vote for veterans. Donate to veterans. Listen to veterans. Learn from veterans. Support veterans.

GOOD NEWS IN MEDICINE

7

3D Printing Bones Could Help Injured Veterans A lab in Arizona hopes that 3D printing

test patients to prove they can print these

could help injured veterans. The Orthope-

individualized bones to help veterans —

dic Research Lab in Arizona hopes to use

and eventually civilians and even cancer

the technology to help veterans with bone

patients — with severe limb injuries.

injuries. According to Dr. John Szivek, who runs the lab at the University of Ar-

IN THE FACE OF IMPOSSIBLE ODDS, PEOPLE WHO LOVE THIS COUNTRY CAN CHANGE IT. — Barack Obama

izona, the lab received a $2 million grant from the Department of Defense to create

Doctors Performed the Country’s First-Ever Penis Transplant On a Wounded Veteran

3D bone printing.

“We could regenerate their bone by 3D

A group of doctors at Johns Hopkins Uni-

35 — returned home from Iraq and Afghan-

printing a scaffold that’s specific to that

versity performed the country’s first-ever

istan with genital injuries, according to the

bone and that patient and then filling it

penis and scrotum transplant on a veter-

Department of Defense Trauma registry.

with stem cells from that patient,” Szivek

an who sustained devastating injuries —

Before the 2018 surgery at John Hop-

said to Fox News. “Surgeons in the military

including the loss of both legs — from an

kins, three successful penis transplants

would try to treat military personnel with

explosive device while serving in Afghani-

had been performed around the world be-

blast injuries, in particular. Those injuries

stan several years ago. Doctors performed

fore, the first being a 2014 surgery in South

usually cause massive bone loss and unfor-

the successful 14-hour surgery in 2018,

Africa. That recipient became a father

tunately, in many cases, they’re currently

but it took years of planning.

soon after.

amputating military personnel who have

Since 2013, the group of doctors were

The hospital gave the team of doctors

those types of injuries. But in this way,

gearing up to offer military men the coun-

permission to perform 60 transplants and

they could regrow the bone for that person,

try’s first transplant of the kind, with the aim

offered to cover the first surgery, which cost

and they could continue their service in

to restore sensation along with urinary and

up to $400,000. Doctors have asked the

the military.”

sexual function within months of surgery.

Department of Defense to fund more. All

The technology for 3D printing has been

Dr. W. P. Andrew Lee, the chairman

around for a while, but government funding

of plastic and reconstructive surgery at

for academic research in the health sphere

Johns Hopkins, told The New York Times

“It’s a real mind-boggling injury to suf-

is relatively new.

that the hopes of fathering a child is a real-

fer,” the recipient, who wished to remain

The technology for printing the bones

istic goal because the transplant involves

anonymous, said in an interview for a

is mostly figured out, but now the health-

only the penis and not the testicles, so the

Johns Hopkins publication. “It is not an

care industry must sort out how to make it

child would be genetically related to the

easy one to accept. When I first woke up, I

cost-effective and surgically viable.

surgery recipient.

felt finally more normal, … [with] a level of

The grant will be funded over the next

From 2001 to 2013, more than 1,000 men

five years. In that time, Dr. Szivek hopes to

— nearly all of whom were under the age of

surgeons donated their time to provide the procedure at no cost to the patient.

confidence as well. Confidence … like finally I’m OK now.”

HOW TO SUPPORT VETERANS' PHYSICAL HEALTH GO OD

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This applies to supporting anyone experiencing disability: Educate yourself on how to better interact with others. An informative article on this can be found at uiaccess.com/accessucd/interact.html.

Donate to the impactful work of the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization dedicated to veterans who incurred a physical or mental injury while serving in the military on or after 9/11.

Call your elected representative and tell them you care about reforming and improving America's systems that support healthcare for veterans. Dial 1-844-USA-0234 to get connected with your representatives.

DOING GOOD FOR VETERANS

8

A Group Made Mostly of Bikers Shields and Honors Loved Ones at the Funerals of Fallen Soldiers and Other Heroes

This Single Mother Won the Powerball and Shared Her Wealth with Veterans A single mother who won more than $343 million in the Powerball in 2018 decided to give a portion of her winnings to a foundation that assists wounded veterans.

Lerynne West, who is from Iowa, appeared on "The Ellen Degeneres Show" to share her story: The single mother of three just bought her first home and was taking a break from packing to get a slice of pizza at a convenience store, where she also bought a lottery ticket.

After she was publicly announced the winner, she anImage by Sam Craig

In 2005, a group of volunteers founded the Patriot Guard

songs or revving their motorcycle engines.

nounced the formation of The Callum Foundation, named after her grandchild who survived only one day after he was born. The foundation will focus on financing work with

Riders to shelter and protect the families of deceased sol-

While the group initially focused on veterans or fallen

diers and veterans from protestors from the Westboro

soldiers, it quickly expanded to also supporting law en-

West told Degeneres that her father was a Vietnam vet-

Baptist Church, who claim the deaths of American troops

forcement officers, fire department personnel, and first

eran and that her three brothers served in the military, so

are divine retribution for American acceptance of the

responders. As of 2011, the group had more than 220,000

she decided to donate half a million dollars to The Travis

LGBTQ community. Members of the nonprofit, many of

members. In addition to attendance at funerals, the group

Mills Foundation, which supports veterans and their fami-

whom are motorcycle riders, physically position them-

also greets troops returning home from overseas and

lies through long-term programs to overcome physical and

selves at funerals — at the invitation of the deceased’s

performs volunteer work. They also assist families in fi-

mental obstacles.

family — to shield mourners from view of the church

nancial difficulties related to travel and housing arrange-

"It's very important to me that we never forget the sacri-

group with the motorcade or American flags. They also

ments, and they encourage and honor service members in

fices soldiers and their family members make for our coun-

drown out the sounds of protests by chanting patriotic

military hospitals.

try," West said on the show.

poverty, education, animal welfare, and veterans.

HOW TO SUPPORT THOSE WHO LOST A LOVED ONE AT WAR GO OD

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Buy the book "There Is No Good Card for This" — not just to learn how to respond to the loss of someone at war — but for any occasion where you don't quite know what to say but want to show up with empathy.

Donate to the Gary Sinise Foundation which provides guilt-free fun and beneficial resources to families in the grieving process. They're creating a community to learn, grow, and make lasting memories with new friends.

Donate to Honor Flight, an organization that transports veterans to Washington D.C. to visit and reflect at the memorials that honor their service and the service of their friends who were lost.

DOING GOOD FOR VETERANS

9

A World War II Veteran Asked for 100 Cards For His 100th Birthday, Then Received Thousands Joe Cuba turned 100 in early 2019 and had one request: 100 birthday cards. Instead, he received thousands of cards, gifts, and photographs from all around the world. posted his request along with a photo of Cuba, who served

John Mayer Started A Foundation to Help Veterans Through Research

in the U.S. Air Force as a staff sergeant during World War

Grammy Award-winning musician John Mayer an-

II. The photo went viral, and he received responses through

nounced the creation of The Heart and Armor Foundation,

the mail from countries as far as England and Poland and

aiming to improve the health of veterans through scientif-

from other veterans with whom he served.

ic research, with a focus on veterans with post-traumatic

In February, his retirement home in Wichita Falls, Texas

"There [are] so many wonderful people that think about

stress disorder and the unique needs of women veterans.

me," Cuba told Good Morning America. "I really enjoyed it."

Although he only announced the foundation in early

The executive director of the retirement community

2019, Mayer has been working on the project — along-

told GMA the acts of kindness "couldn't have happened

side veterans, scientists, and clinicians — since 2012,

to a nicer guy."

according to NBC. “We’re going to the public with things like published

A Jimmy John’s Driver Took a Fellow Veteran to the ER After His Sister Dialed the Wrong Number

research papers and having raised enough money to really build some pilot programs," Mayer, whose father was a

In October 2018, Greg Holeman was recovering from a

He called one of his drivers, Zach Hillmer, who is also a

World War II veteran, said in an interview with The As-

risky surgery. His sister, Lisa Nagengast, flew back from

veteran. Hillmer called Nagengast to get her brother’s ad-

sociated Press. "We have some really great data, and ... we

Nebraska to her Florida home after her brother was set-

dress. Until this point, she thought she had called her broth-

want it to be working first so that a lot of the questions

tled back at his home. But she got a troubling call from

er’s social worker. But she was confused about why the

were answered before we brought things to people by way

him: An incision from his spinal fusion was oozing, and

social worker hadn’t passed on her brother’s information.

of awareness."

his leg was numb. He couldn’t find a ride to the hospital

“And he said, ‘Umm, this is Jimmy John's,’” Nagengast

Mayer said he was struck by a visit to the Marine Corps

and couldn’t afford a cab. At the time, he believed his in-

posted on her Facebook account. “I said, ‘You mean Jim-

Base Camp Lejeune in 2008, where he visited with a friend.

surance wouldn’t cover an ambulance.

my John’s like the food place?’ Yeah, I had called Jimmy

He got an idea of what a day was like at the North Caroli-

John’s restaurant.”

na facility and was particularly compelled by a visit to the

According to Omaha World-Herald, Nagengast called her brother’s social worker. But she accidentally dialed the wrong number. On the other end of the line was a young

He picked up Holeman and took him to the emergency room, where he was treated.

wounded warrior barracks.

Among other impressive accomplishments, the founda-

woman working at the sandwich shop Jimmy John’s in

“There is always time for people, especially people in

tion has released 10 publications in peer-reviewed journals,

her brother’s city, Columbus. She handed the phone to her

need,” Voss told the Omaha World-Herald. “I had the re-

developed an exercise-based intervention for post-trau-

manager, Jason Voss, who realized the severity of the situ-

sources, I had drivers, we weren’t super busy with deliver-

matic stress disorder, and created a screening tool for nu-

ation and jumped to action.

ies, either. Zach was glad to help someone out.”

trition to support women veterans.

HOW TO SUPPORT MILITARY FAMILIES GO OD

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Counseling and therapy are incredibly helpful tools for any family. If you know anyone serving in the military, let them know about the non-medical counseling available through Military OneSource.

Donate to the USO to help military families stay connected and supported. Your support means phone calls for families, seminars for couples, and opportunities for military spouses to meet others in their situation.

Operation Homefront's mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so they can thrive — not simply get by — in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. Donate to support military families.

HOMELESSNESS

10

Veteran Homelessness Has Decreased By Nearly 50 Percent Since 2009

On a single night in January 2018, more

Certain communities are seeing veteran

than 37,000 veterans were experiencing

homelessness become a thing of the past

homelessness, making up about 9 percent

entirely. The entire states of Connecticut,

of all homeless adults, according to the

Delaware, Minnesota, and Virginia have ef-

National Alliance to End Homelessness

fectively ended homelessness among vet-

(NAEH). While homelessness isn't the

erans. And in February 2019, officials from

reality for most veterans, any veteran ex-

Abilene, Texas announced they had ended

periencing homelessness is one too many,

veteran homelessness in their community,

and veteran homelessness has posed a

too, making it the ninth city in the country

significant challenge to city leaders in the

to reach that goal through a national ini-

United States. But noteworthy progress

tiative called Built for Zero. The program

has been made in housing veterans across

works with a data-forward approach that

the country.

helps officials track people experiencing

Through the Department of Veterans Af-

homelessness through a visual dashboard.

fairs’ Supportive Services for Veteran Fam-

“It basically just forced us to contin-

ilies (SSVF) program, many veterans have

uously look to change improvements to

connected with rapid re-housing, a bridge

our system and how to use real-time data

from homelessness to permanent housing in

to improve our performance,” said John

which housing is offered quickly, with tempo-

Meier, the program manager for support-

rary financial support and case management,

ive services for veteran families for the

and without conditions such as employment,

West Central Texas Regional Foundation,

income, absence of a criminal record, or sobri-

to Fast Company. “We’ve always had lots

ety. In 2015 alone, the SSVF program helped

of data sitting around but haven’t had it in

nearly 100,000 veterans and about 35,000

one place and [haven’t been] utilizing it to

children remain in their homes or quickly exit

our advantage.”

homelessness, according to NAEH. Through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Veterans Affairs Sup-

Source: National Alliance to End Homelessness 2018 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress

By working with the data, the city of Abilene shrunk the average time to house a veteran from 40 days to 26.

portive Housing program, many veterans have

Many cities and organizations point to a

also been able to find permanent supportive

lack of resources to combat veteran home-

housing. Since 2008, more than 114,000

lessness, but the case in many communities

homeless veterans have been served through

is the right resources exist and can be mo-

the program, according to NAEH.

bilized with a strategic approach.

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Show people who are experiencing homelessness the respect you'd hope for if you were in their shoes. You never know what their story may be or the sacrifices they've made. Buy a meal, share a conversation, or offer a smile.

The LGBTQ and veteran communities disproportionately experience homelessness. Donating to organizations such as Happy Hippie, True Colors United, U.S. Vets Inc., and Final Salute can go a long way.

Volunteer as a mentor, counselor, or legal aid to support homeless veterans in need of help. You can find a list of homeless veteran service providers from the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans at nchv.org.

MOR E GO OD F ROM V E T E R A N S

A Marine Corps Veteran Biked Almost 4,000 Miles for Suicide Prevention Image by Danny Ying

11

“And while there’s a time and place for

A Transgender Veteran Was a Grand Marshal at NYC Pride March 2019

everything, when we take off our uniform,

It’s been 50 years since the Stonewall up-

do we still have to have our armor up?”

rising — a historic turning point in the LG-

Ying met with veterans at every stop along

BTQ community during which gay rights

his six-week trip, sharing stories and talking

activists protested against a bar raid car-

about suicide prevention. Along the way, he

ried out by police, a major catalyst for the

usually stayed at fire departments, police de-

gay rights movement. To commemorate

partments, and veterans’ affairs offices.

the anniversary, NYC Pride chose to lead

According to the U.S. Department of

the 2019 march with a group of grand mar-

Veterans Affairs, an average of 20 veterans

shals including the veteran who designed

die by suicide every day. The suicide rate

the transgender pride flag 20 years ago.

among veterans and active duty personnel

Monica Helms is a transgender activist

Early 2018, Marine Corps veteran Dan-

is more than double the rate among those

and a veteran who served in the United

ny Ying didn’t even own a bike. Later the

who have never served in the military.

States Navy for eight years, working on two

same year, he rode almost 4,000 miles to

“Mental health struggles and suicide

submarines. She comes from a long history

transgender, and according to a RAND

don’t take a break,” Ying said to Bicycling.

of military service within her family — all

study published in 2016, about 6,500 trans-

“I bought this bike on June 2,” Ying told

“We can choose to sweep our problems un-

of her uncles and one aunt served in WWII,

gender people serve on active duty. In July

cycling magazine Bicycling. “I had never

der the rug, but the only way to solve them

her grandfather was in the Navy, her father

2017, President Donald Trump announced

ridden before, but I basically gave away

is to pull them out and stare them in the

served in three branches of the service and

that trans people would not be allowed to

everything I owned and started my trip on

face — it takes more strength and courage

during three wars, her brother served, along

serve in the U.S. military. As of April 2019,

August 25 in San Francisco.”

and bravery to ask for help than not to.”

with one of his sons and her son.

the ban went into effect.

raise awareness for suicide prevention.

Ying joined the Marine Corps at just 16

This year, he plans to ride across Europe

“My time in the Navy helped shape my

In May 2019, five state representatives

years old and served for eight years. After

and Asia, ending in Japan for the 2020

way of thinking and gave me a sense of in-

introduced the SERVE Act to guarantee

his service Ying faced depression and in

Olympics in Tokyo to raise awareness for

dependence,” Helms said to Queerty. “I am

protections for veterans discharged under

May 2018 was in a self-described bad place

mental health issues among athletes.

proud of my service, and it still affects me

the ban. Protections would include ensur-

mentally. So he decided to buy a bike and

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to impact

even as I grow older. Military service isn’t

ing veterans are not denied VA healthcare

started a cross-country trip, sharing along

people’s lives, and cycling has been a phe-

for everyone, but it’s uncanny how many

benefits if they receive an Other Than Hon-

the way on his blog and Instagram account,

nomenal vehicle for it, since it’s good not only

transgender men and women I come across

orable discharge.

@teamridesforhope.

for physical health, but mental health, too,”

who have served. It gave me structure, dis-

The SERVE Act has been endorsed by

“There’s a stigma in our society that as a

Ying said to Bicycling. “I know I don’t have all

cipline, enabled me to see parts of the world

the Human Rights Campaign, American

male — especially as a male in uniform —

the answers, but I’m hopeful that these open

I might otherwise not have seen, and chal-

Civil Liberties Union, Modern Military As-

showing emotion and asking for help are

and honest conversations are a start in break-

lenged me to be a better person.”

sociation of America, and Minority Veter-

signs of weakness,” he said to Bicycling.

ing this stigma down over time."

An estimated 134,000 U.S. veterans are

ans of America, among other organizations.

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Talk about your mental health more. Just like we all have physical health, we all have mental health. When you're more open, you help others share their mental health experiences as well. You could save a life.

Support the organization Mission 22 to let veterans know they have an army behind them. Your donation assists in getting veterans treatment when they need it the most — now. Visit mission22.com for more info.

Learn more about upcoming veteran mental health policies being proposed in 11+ U.S. states. (Check out theintercept.com/2019/05/28/veterans-bill-of-rights.) And then tell your representatives to support them.

#GOODNEWSPAPER

@GOODGOODGOODCO

VETERAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

14

7 Veteran Entrepreneurs You Can Support With Your Wallet

Lettrs, lettrs.com Lettrs is an app that allows users to write letters and discover other letters and

The military provides a lot of skills that make veterans

people. Users can upload their own “let-

uniquely suited to become successful entrepreneurs: disci-

ters” using unique fonts, themes, stamps,

pline, leadership, strong work ethic and drive, and the abili-

and signatures, then share these letters

ty to innovate and organize. The Small Business Admin-

with others. Co-founder and CEO Drew

istration reports that 25 percent of post-9/11 veterans

Bartkiewicz is a West Point graduate

are interested in starting their own business.

and veteran.

If you want to support veterans in a tangible way, one of many ways is through your spending. We rounded up some of our favorite veteran-owned businesses.

Sperry, sperry.com The comfortable and popular boat shoe Sperry was the brainchild of a sailor in the Navy Reserve. Paul A. Sperry founded Sperry in 1935 and made the non-slip boating shoe that everyone still loves. The Sperry Top-Sider was a staple for Navy members during World War II.

GoodWorld, goodworld.me GoodWorld makes giving simple, secure, and viral with hashtag-powered payments. The Washington, D.C.-based company co-founded by veteran John Gossart made a way for anyone to comment and instantly give to causes they care about on social media by using the hashtag #donate. GoodWorld was named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2016.

“My 22 years of military service taught me the two things most important to achieving success as an entrepreneur: Clearly identify the problem, and build the Image by Allef Vinicius

right team to solve it,” Gossart told Forbes.

VETERAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

15

Plated, plated.com You’ve probably heard of the meal delivery service Plated. But did you know it was

VersaMe, versame.com

started by a veteran? One of the company’s founders, Nick Taranto, started his business journey at Dartmouth before mov-

VersaMe creates an early childhood devel-

ing on to Harvard Business School and

opment wearable called Starling, which

eventually the Marine Corps. His military

helps parents understand metrics on

background was a key point in connecting

their child’s development, including ver-

with his first investors.

bal engagement, motion, noise, and even sunlight exposure. Users get personalized and actionable prompts each day to boost every area of the child’s development. Two

Busy Baby Mat, busybabymat.com

of the founders, brothers Jon and Chris Boggiano, are West Point graduates and

Busy Baby Mat is the first-ever placemat

served in the U.S. Army.

that keeps toys in place. The mats are made from food-grade silicone and stick to hard surfaces to keep baby’s things where

Combat Flip Flops, combatflipflops.com

they belong. Founder Beth Fynbo served 10 years in the U.S. Army and 10 years in “corporate America” before creating the

Combat Flip Flops reports that their foot-

Busy Baby Mat to reduce meal-time stress.

wear is “bad for running and worse for fighting.” Every product Combat Flip Flops sells puts an Afghan girl into secondary school for a day. Founders Matthew Griffin and Donald Lee are veterans who did tours in Afghanistan. Their mission is to create peaceful, forward-thinking opportunities for self-determined entrepreneurs affected by conflict.

HOW TO SUPPORT VETERAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP GO OD

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Shift your buying habits to support what you care about.

Veterans? Shop veteran-owned businesses. (The Earth?

Brands that give 1% for the planet. Racial equity? Businesses owned by people of color. Or all of the above!)

Donate to Bunker Labs — an organization that inspires veterans and veterans' spouses to start their own business then equips them with right training and connects them to the right people to grow those businesses.

Support veteran-owned businesses by joining one! The military has a unique ability to build leadership traits, and working at a veteran-owned business is a great opportunity to learn from a leader with a mission.

A RT & M USIC

16

CreatiVets

He’s even spent time with President George W. Bush to

22 years old facing my new reality, that I would have all

discuss the impact music and art have had on his recovery.

these problems for the rest of my life. I was sitting there

Richard co-founded an organization called CreatiVets to

thinking my faith in God is the only thing that really kept

help other veterans who are suffering. Goodnewspaper ed-

me above water.

itor-in-chief Branden Harvey interviewed Casper for Good

I knew I would have to find a new route. I had clearance

Good Good’s podcast, Sounds Good with Branden Harvey.

and experience, so all I needed was a degree to be an FBI

Jump right into their conversation below.

or CIA agent. But I had all these new anxieties and depres-

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. You

sion. I couldn’t function. I was so bad. My anxieties and

can listen to the interview in full wherever you listen to pod-

everything crept on me so bad that I had to do one-on-one

casts or at soundsgoodpodcast.com/creativets.

speeches with my speech teacher in college because I

Branden: Your story is the story of somebody who encoun-

19-year-old kids. I was getting sick every single morning.

ters something difficult and chooses not to turn to apathy or

I went from prom king and class clown in high school

cynicism but ultimately to turn toward creating a solution

to Marine Corps, could do anything — speak in front of

so that other people don't have to struggle in the same way

everybody, a leader — to at this community college unable

that you struggled. What was it like coming home from war?

to get in front of class. I thought I really couldn’t do any-

Richard: The moment we touched down, I was excitImage by Jason Myers

couldn't get up in front of class in front of these the 18- and

thing. What am I going to do? I was never an artist, and I was never a songwriter, never anything like that, but I was

ed about living my life. I was super pumped. They asked

pretty good at drawing. I decided to take an art class. Then

whether I needed any medical attention, and I said no. They

I decided to get a degree in fine arts.

didn't check me out in Iraq like they're supposed to.

B: What was community college like?

According to the Department of Defense, one in five vet-

At that point I was ready to be done. I went back home.

erans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are diagnosed with

I didn't know I had the brain injury yet, and a month after

post-traumatic stress disorder. The social and economic

I was out I hit a deer on my Harley while riding in Mary-

R: I had anxiety still and was very off. I tend to be open to

costs of PTSD are immense, and the Department of Veteran

land. We rode bikes with no helmets, and I was going about

everybody about everything, but at that time I wasn't open

Affairs reported in a 2016 study that the veteran suicide

50 mph, and I'm rolling and thinking how I don’t want to

about what I was going through. I didn't know how to talk

rate in the United States is 20 suicides per day. Veterans

die. But I had this speaker on the front of my bike, a plastic

about it. I needed to do something about Luke, who was my

now account for 20 percent of suicides in the United States.

piece that you put on there, and I think actually that's what

buddy who was shot and killed beside me. I visit his grave

saved my life.

on his death anniversary every year in Houston, and I had

Richard Casper is one of those soldiers who returned

this photo that my uncle took of me with my arm up on his

home reliving the helplessness, fear, and horror associat-

I survived the crash and just lived my life for six months

ed with the trauma he experienced. Coming from a family

having fun before I decided it was time to pursue my next

history of military service and moved by the events of 9/11,

career. I decided to go to college and study business. So I

I wanted to try to draw it. I positioned myself away from

he joined the Marine Corps as a senior in high school.

went to Bloomington, Illinois to go to a community college

most other students and started on this mission. I got to

for two years to get my associates before transferring to a

the point to where I had me colored in, I had his headstone

state college.

colored in, and I had these roses colored in. The only thing

Within the first four months he was in Afghanistan, his Humvee was struck by improvised explosive devices. His friend was killed by a sniper during the ambush, and Casper suffered a traumatic brain injury.

I enrolled in college, but college requires your brain.

And that's when I found out about my injury the hard way.

headstone. I just love the photo.

left was the background which was all grass, so it would be green.

Coming home, he struggled with depression and suicidal

I failed my first class. I was having all these problems. I

My teacher came up and asked if I had thought about

ideation, but he found the healing power of art and music.

decided to go to the VA hospital and see what's wrong. I

doing the background a color that doesn't make sense to

His art has caught the attention of Time Magazine, the iconic

knew there was something wrong. They diagnosed me with

the image but it makes sense to the way I felt inside. I took

School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and numerous prom-

a traumatic brain injury and PTSD.

a shot with it and colored everything red in the background.

inent country music artists who have been paying attention and supporting the work he does.

They told me I couldn’t learn new technical skills and

I wasn’t in the realm of doing art before so I didn't know

my short-term memory would suffer. And at the time I was

that you had to do critiques. You put your piece up on a wall,

ART & M US I C

17

and other people talk about it. And so I was dreading that

hours, and I wouldn’t think about war for like four hours. I

And he said yes. He loved music. I raised a few hundred

day, but I put my stuff up on the wall. I pinned it up, and

didn’t think about anything. When I went to that school I

bucks to get him there, and we shared a room in a hotel by

the students take turns giving their thoughts. “You put red

still had anxiety and depression, but when I graduated I felt

the airport for $45 a night. And when he sat down with the

on there because you loved him.” “You've got red on there

almost back to my normal self. I learned there that I could

writer, they finished a song about his story in three hours.

because you watched him die, and you saw the blood.” “You

use art to tell my story.

put red there because you're angry that he died.”

When he went home, his family was reaching out to me.

I had a job at this bar as a bouncer, where I was interact-

“I never knew he thought like this. I finally understand

I'm sitting here thinking, “How do they know all like

ing with people. I felt so alive. I still had some anxieties and

him.” He was finally opening up to his family just by show-

this?” These feelings made sense. It all made sense to me.

depression, but I felt alive. At the time they had 22 suicides

ing them this song.

I didn't have to tell anybody how I felt. I didn't have to ver-

a day in the veteran community, and I was close to being

It changed his life. He said that three-hour writing ses-

bally speak — that was my problem at the time. My anxiety

one of those. And I saw that nobody was trying art. There

sion did more for him than the six years spent at the VA

came from the anticipation of telling someone my story. It

were small art therapies, but there wasn’t a big push for it.

hospital. I thought other veterans could come and get a

made me so anxious I would throw up. But here I had just told my story without speaking a word. Is there something to this? I dove into this idea of conceptual art — how to hide

B: And this was the beginning of your organization, CreatiVets?

crash course in songwriting or art if I could design a program well enough. I met a woman from Chicago who sits on the board for nonprofits, and she said she could pull some

things in these paintings, in these sculptures, and how to

R: I felt there was a problem I had just solved. I told my

tell my story in a different way.

buddy I didn't have a nonprofit in mind. I didn't have any-

She told me to do what I wanted and she would govern

A representative from the School of the Art Institute of

thing in mind. I just said we need to capture whatever this

it. She really believed in it. So that's how it started. Crea-

Chicago came down to the college. And I'm like, this school

moment is. I was able to learn how to play some chords on a

tiVets, the nonprofit that Linda and I co-founded, helped

sounds cool, I've never heard of it. I decided to apply. It

guitar and ended up going to Nashville to meet with a song-

about eight veterans in our first year. We paid for their

turns out their alumnis are Georgia O'Keeffe and Walt Dis-

writer to get some help writing a song about Luke.

flights, food, hotel, and we set them up with songwriters

people together.

ney. I brought up my portfolio of about seven pieces. They

My buddy Jesse, who was also in Iraq and lost a leg and

to tell their story. I would take them out, and we'd listen to

require 15 to 20. Almost all of mine were still life besides

has burns all over his body, doesn’t like telling his story

music and tell war stories and they would get so comfort-

that one that I did of Luke. They’re looking at it, and they

either and doesn’t like people looking at him either, and I

able with me that they could tell me anything. I would go

tell me I can draw well but they’re about concepts, big ideas,

asked him if he would come to Nashville and write with this

into the writing session with them the next day.

thinking outside the box.

number one songwriter.

I understood in that moment that what I needed when I

And I knew I had to sell myself. I said I was limited by

was almost suicidal was a battle buddy like this. My bud-

where I was — that I was in a community college learning

dy Jeremy was there for me when I would just drive out

from Drawing 1 and Drawing 2 instructors, that I had to do this still life stuff for classes. But I told them art could save me. I told them I want you to know what it feels like to be blown up — not physically but mentally. I want you to know what that loss of innocence in war feels like. I have all these ideas. I just need a place to do that.

They gave me a shot that changed my life forever. So I went there and ended up getting my bachelors from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

B: What was your time at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago like?

R: I used to think about war and anxiety and depression and Luke's death constantly.

But in art classes, I would mess with clay for three or four

I dove into this idea of conceptual art — how to hide things in these paintings, in these sculptures, and how to tell my story in a different way.

to a cornfield crying, not knowing what was going on with me. When I called Jeremy because I didn't know what else to do, he'd talk me off the ledge. I knew that’s what other veterans needed. I don't want any veteran to not have this option.

At that point I wanted to start incorporating art. I went back to the School of Art Institute of Chicago and told them they need to enroll veterans who have no art background. I met with the vice provost and told him my dream and said I wanted to create a program to allow veterans to be in the school for just a summer semester, and I would be there to help facilitate. But he told me I would be the teacher. He gave me freedom to run with it.

So now CreatiVets offers these three-week fully accred-

A RT & M USIC

18

"Art and music and storytelling legitimately save lives." ited programs. We pay for their flights, tuition, housing,

B: You’ve been working with President George W. Bush. Can B: You’ve been through a lot of hell. But you’ve also done so

and food. They get to live in the dorms and go to school

you tell me about that?

like normal students, but they're with other combat vets

much good. Would you turn back the clock and do things differently if you could?

who've been through what they've been through, taught by

R: He started a program called the Veteran Leadership Pro-

a veteran. Four of the veterans ended up enrolling in the

gram. He selected 33 leaders — doesn't matter if they're

R: There's a famous quote by an admiral that says “War

school, and one is now in the grad program and took over

civilians or veterans as long as they're doing something in

makes a bad man worse. And a good man great.” If I was

the class I taught.

the veterans space. You could apply for this program, and I

never injured I would still be a good person, but I wouldn't

got in. It’s like a cohort with the president's resources and

be doing the stuff I'm doing now, and I would do it again 100

all his people.

percent every time.

Now we have programs at Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Southern California, and we’re going to advance into film and other arts aside from drawing and songwriting.

Art and music and storytelling legitimately save lives.

And in the veteran community we just don't know that because we're so used to not telling our story and carrying

We have the CEO of Easterseals, people from Prudential, from CBS, from Wounded Warrior Project. It's just been a great experience. It's one of the coolest things I've ever been a part of.

our own pack and not needing help from anybody else that

B: And President Bush has been doing all this artwork, too.

we never get retrained how to let that go and be vulnerable

He started painting post-presidency. What do you see that

B: How closely have the experiences of other veterans mir-

to mean?

rored your own experience? I imagine it’s harder for some

R: I thought from the beginning that he was processing

people to really get into this and easier for others. What’s

things. A conceptual art piece, like a subconscious thing. I

that like?

knew he was painting, and I thought that was cool. I went

R : There are no rules. I'm not a clinical therapist.

from protecting George Bush at Camp David to going to war, being injured, learning how to use art to heal, and now

We’re not doing art therapy or music therapy, but I

helping other veterans. And now he's using art to paint

understand that art and music can be therapy to some-

veterans. Some of the veterans I've helped actually were

body. I do one-on-ones with every veteran where I say,

painted by him.

“Here's what happened to me. What happened to you?”

Time Magazine made a documentary about me, and

I'm not trying to make them artists. I'm trying

they reached out to President Bush to see if he would meet

to teach them how to transition from war brain to

with me. My wife and I got to sit for 20 minutes and talk to

artist brain.

George W. Bush about art. I told him I love what he’s doing.

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Next time you visit Chicago, check out the National Veterans Art Museum. Since its inception in 1981, the NVAM has been a space for open a dialogue over the impact of war. All artwork is created by veterans.

Check out organizations and programs that support veterans through the arts. Reach out and ask if there's anything in particular they need. See a list at operationwearehere.com/ArtTherapy.html.

Donate to CreatiVets to help them continue their unique work providing combat veterans with opportunities to use art, music, and creative writing to heal their unseen wounds of war.

TEAM RUBICON

Veterans Reintegrate Back Into Everyday Life Through Disaster Relief In January 2010, a massive earthquake hit Haiti. In just

about 70 percent of its volunteers are veterans.

19 The group has more than 65,000 volunteers ready to deploy and offers an impressive response time: 10 volunteers within 24 hours and at least 30 volunteers within the first 96 hours. The group offers incident management, debris management, damage assessments, emergency medicine, and home repair.

A New Purpose for Veterans

moments, hundreds of thousands of people were in-

The team has two goals: first, to provide quick, well-or-

jured, infrastructure and buildings were destroyed, and

ganized disaster response by highly trained teams; and sec-

Through engagement in continued service through disas-

countless people were made homeless. In the days fol-

ond, to give veterans an opportunity to serve others, which

ter response, not only does Team Rubicon provide relief to

lowing, many aid organizations had trouble responding

can ease reintegration back into civilian life.

affected communities, but many veteran volunteers begin

quickly and effectively because of unsafe and unstable working conditions.

The name comes from the phrase “crossing the Rubicon,” which means passing the point of no return. Since the Haiti

to regain the purpose, community, and identity that can be difficult to find upon leaving the armed forces.

U.S. Marines William McNulty and Jacob Wood lept into

earthquake in 2010, the team has deployed on almost 200

“After wearing the uniform, it wasn't easy to get a job

action, leading a small group of eight — veterans, first re-

missions both internationally and domestically, in places

after or find meaning and purpose,” Porter said to PCMag.

sponders, and medical professionals — to Port-au-Prince

including Chile, Pakistan, Burma, Sudan, Nepal, Greece,

“But Team Rubicon unlocked something in me and showed

three days after the quake hit. The team rented a truck,

and Turkey.

me I have other skills that are applicable to be of real service in civilian life.”

loaded their gear, and treated thousands of patients. With

Among the group’s leadership and advisors are retired

their specialized training, they were able to venture outside

generals, a former New York Stock Exchange CEO, and

It’s now a global group, consisting of not just U.S. vet-

areas occupied by other disaster response teams.

the CEO of Farmers Group. The group counts former

erans but veterans and other volunteers from all over

Many of the skills gained in the military — emergen-

presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush among their

the world.

cy medicine, small-unit leadership, logistics, and ex-

high-profile supporters and Lady Gaga and Prince Harry

perience in austere environments — translate well to

among those who have volunteered.

disaster response.

“We generally keep our wits about us under extreme

Serving Society’s Most Vulnerable

The group provides transportation, food, and communal-style lodging for volunteers. Some veterans who would otherwise be homeless choose to go from one deployment directly to the next. Volunteering ensures

pressure and most of us have special skills we can de-

Team Rubicon focuses its efforts on serving vulnerable

their basic needs are met but also gives them a sense

ploy,” Team Rubicon operations manager William Porter

and at-risk populations. The best news? All Team Rubicon

of purpose.

told PCMag. “We're also highly independent, used to mis-

services are provided free of charge to the communities it

“It gave me something back that I’d lost when I took off

sion-critical situations."

serves. In 2016, 62 percent of all homes Team Rubicon ser-

my uniform,” Esmerelda Turner, a disabled Navy veter-

This was the beginning of Team Rubicon, an interna-

viced did not have home insurance. An American Progress

an who now serves as the Arizona state coordinator for

tional nonprofit specializing in the rapid deployment of

report noted that the most extreme weather events typically

Team Rubicon, told The Apache Junction & Gold Can-

emergency response teams to provide immediate relief

harmed counties with household incomes below the U.S. me-

yon News. “A veteran’s expertise, knowledge, and skill set

to those impacted by natural disasters and humanitarian

dian annual income of $51,941, so it's especially noteworthy

are put to work again. You become a part of something

crises. What makes Team Rubicon unique, however, is that

that the team's help can ease a family's financial burdens.

bigger than yourself.”

HOW TO SUPPORT DISASTER RELIEF GO OD

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Whenever a natural disaster strikes, use your voice to encourage people to take action. Tweet about disasters that are getting less attention or share on your Instagram Story about organizations to support, for example.

Make a donation to Team Rubicon to support their game-changing disaster relief. $100 can deploy a volunteer to a disaster zone or $300 can help muck out a flooded home.

Raise your hand to help those in need. If you have military experience or skills from the civil service sector, you should absolutely volunteer to join Team Rubicon.

They'll train you up and put you to work.

20

E N V I R O N M E N TA L I M PAC T

These Combat Diving Veterans Are Now Using Their Skills to Restore Ocean Health

For veterans of combat diving, life after the military can lack a sense of purpose. Now a nonprofit called Force Blue is giving these military veterans a new mission by employing their unique underwater skills to restore ocean health.

Veterans of combat diving are used to mission-focused work, so transitioning back to civilian life and working at a desk can be a difficult adjustment for many veterans.

Enter Force Blue, a nonprofit that unites military veterans with the world of coral reef conservation for the betterment of both.

A big challenge these combat divers face, according to the team’s executive director Jim Ritterhoff, is a sense of not having a mission anymore.

“We're not a dive therapy program,” Ritterhoff told the news program Living on Earth. “Our guys are already the best divers in the world. We're a mission therapy program.

We're all about giving them back that sense [that] your skillset can still be utilized. We can take the training that you already have and the qualities that made you so successful in the military and now use those for the greater good for a cause larger than themselves.”

These veterans come from backgrounds of highly specialized work: special operations teams with extensive government training in SCUBA diving. These combat divers come from all branches of the military, and millions of dollars have been invested in them throughout their military careers to turn them into specialized underwater operators.

It’s a rigorous program to become a combat diver and one of the more difficult schools in the U.S. military.

The Force Blue team consists of 12 combat divers who can be deployed to restore coral reefs, remove invasive species, and remove marine debris. At the start of the program in 2017, the team went through a two-week training led by marine scientists and environmentalists followed by five days of individual therapy with Dr. Carrie Elk, who specializes in post-traumatic stress in the special operations community.

Right after training, Hurricanes Irma and Maria hit, and the ocean floors in the Florida Keys and Puerto Rico suffered extensive damage.

E N V I R O N M E N TA L I M PAC T

21

the sense of having a mission, not just a hobby.

Ritterhoff recalled the story to Living on Earth of his co-founder, Rudy Reyes, who struggled assimilating to civilian life after six combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. After a recreational dive in the Cayman Islands in 2015, Reyes looked at Ritterhoff and asked, “Did you see that fish?” Ritterhoff, who is an experienced diver but not a veteran, was shocked. "What are you talking about? There's a million fish. That's the whole point of it."

But these divers had never seen a fish on their dives.

They are used to diving in the middle of the night to destroy a target or rescue someone while hauling hundreds of pounds of gear. Now they get to see the ocean environments in the light of day and see it from the lens of preserving and restoring the ecosystems that live there.

“You get these guys down there, and it's like opening a The team deployed and — working with other conserva-

whole new world to them, and the sense of wonder and awe

tion groups — worked to bring the floors back to their for-

that they had — they were just like little kids experiencing

mer glory. Their uniquely specialized training allows Force

something they’d never had before,” Ritterhoff said. “You

Blue to work on operations that other groups don’t have the

just see these guys get back to who they were.”

capability to tackle. For example, an impressively massive

And these divers have a unique position to bring the

900-pound, 500-year-old coral pillar had been ripped from

message of ocean conservation back to their communities.

the floor by Hurricane Irma in the Florida Keys. One of the

“Our guys aren't going to stop ocean acidification or ris-

groups Force Blue worked with, the government agency

ing temperatures or some of the real underlying causes of

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, does

what's happening to our oceans,” Ritterhoff said. “But what

not lift anything over 100 pounds. But the Force Blue divers

they can do is be a megaphone to reach people who other-

— who had lifted predator drones off the ocean floor in the

wise aren't getting the message about what's happening to

past — took care of it no problem. It was a significant win

our planet. People who are not going to listen to another

for conservation because only four of these pillars exist in

climate change scientist talk about global warming will go,

the Keys.

oh, Navy SEALs, recon Marines, these guys are my heroes,

But it's not all about conservation. For many of the

right? We hope that that's a way to get a whole other section

group's members, it's healing to repurpose their skills and

of the population engaged in at least understanding. We

continue their service in a new context. The group is cen-

always say, hey, we don't care if you get on the boat from

tered around working with veterans who specifically need

the left side or the right side, we're all in the same boat.”

Images courtesy of Force Blue

HOW TO SUPPORT THE ENVIRONMENT GO OD

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Start making small changes to your habits. On top of reducing, reusing, and then recycling, try going meat-free once a week, opt to drive instead of fly when possible, and minimize toxic chemicals used in your home.

Donate to Soul River, an organization that connects youth and veterans to a conscious outdoors-centric lifestyle based on conservation, art, design, and humanity.

The effects of global warming often lead to geopolitical changes that threaten to destabilize vulnerable regions.

Use your vote and your voice to create systemic environmental change in politics to reduce global conflict.

ANIMALS DOING GOOD

22

A Retired Military Dog Was Reunited With and Adopted By His Former Partner

Veteran and His Service Dog Help Each Other Heal: "She Chose Me" When Albert Maddox returned home from deployment in Iraq, he had a hard time adjusting to civilian life. He wasn’t comfortable in social settings, and certain sounds of everyday life brought him back to his time in Iraq.

“I couldn’t go to the grocery store during the daytime because there were too many people,” Maddox told the Victoria Advocate. “I couldn’t do it. The roars — the sounds that cars make when people are hot-rodding — it had me hitting the ground.”

Maddox, who is now a retired veteran after spending 20 years in the Army, pursued help through counseling, and a psychiatrist suggested he look into getting a service dog. Through Battle Buddies of Central Oregon, Maddox met Khloe, a certified therapy dog. Khloe, a labrador-malamute-pitbull mix, had been through a traumatic experi-

Marine Corps veteran Aaron Stice recently had the oppor-

troops in Afghanistan and Iraq at any given time, Brynn

tunity to reunite with and adopt his former four-legged

Olson of the United States Central Command said to the

partner. Stice and a Belgian Malinois named Kkeaton pro-

New York Times in 2011.

ence, too.

Before she met Maddox, Khloe had a previous owner, who was homeless. She was initially shy and didn’t trust

tected troops together for three years at Camp Pendleton.

While dogs have stood alongside American forces in

men. When the pair first met, Khloe was backed into a cor-

The canine veteran, named after one of Stice’s friends who

every conflict since the Revolutionary War, they have only

ner. Maddox didn’t approach her, giving her the choice to

was killed during deployment, was trained to detect explo-

been officially recognized since World War II. President

approach him first. After a few minutes, she approached

sives. The dog sustained a neck injury during a training,

Bill Clinton signed “Robby’s Law” in 2000 ensuring han-

him and sniffed.

leading to his medical retirement.

dlers got first dibs at adopting a military working dog after

“There was a small ball nearby, and she picked it up and

The organization American Humane, which works to

completion of its service following lobbying efforts from

brought it over, dropped it, and with her nose, pushed it to-

reconnect retired military dogs and their former handlers,

Vietnam War veterans, a war during which military service

ward me,” Maddox told the Victoria Advocate. “Technically,

brought Kkeaton from San Diego to San Antonio to reunite

dogs were considered “military surplus equipment” in the

she chose me.”

the duo. Now Kkheaton gets to retire at the home of his for-

Vietnam War and were euthanized or turned over to allied

mer handler, along with the Stice family’s two other dogs.

forces after they became unfit for service.

Now the duo does everything together. She goes with Maddox to the grocery store, restaurants, and anywhere

Dogs have worked in combat for hundreds of years, serv-

According to Southern Living, about 90 percent of re-

ing as scouts, sentries, and trackers, dating back to as early

tired military dogs end up with their handlers. The oth-

“She’s special. She really is,” Maddox said. “She’s always

as 600 BC. Military working dogs play a vital role in the

er 10 percent go up for adoption to individuals or law

on the lookout. She lets me know if someone is near me or

U.S. military, with at least 600 actively participating with

enforcement agencies.

behind me. She has my back, and I have hers.”

else he needs her.

HOW TO DO GOOD FOR ANIMALS AND VETERANS GO OD

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Watch some cute videos on YouTube of veterans being reunited with their pets. After you've smiled and cried, move on to our Better and Best recommendations to support more of those moments.

Organizations such as K9s for Warriors, Pets for Patriots, and Companions for Heroes help veterans adopt pets and shelter animals find loving homes. You can donate to save a pet and support a veteran.

Volunteer to foster a pet in your community. When members of the military are deployed, PACT for Animals and Dogs on Deployment help find temporary foster homes to care for their pets until they return.

GOOD FUN

GOOD FUN! Down:

Across:

1. Jeffrey Buchalter showed up at the airport in

3. Veteran homelessness decreased by nearly

2. The man who put his NFL career on hold to cally killed while serving in Afghanistan

serving in the military on or after 9/11.

in the _____. make this footwear.

6. This organization envisions a world where every wartime ally finds safety and opportunity in a new and welcoming community.

7. Danny Ying, who biked almost 4,000 miles for suicide prevention, served in the _____.

20. Combat _____ veterans are using their skills to restore ocean health.

22. A World War II veteran requested how many cards before receiving thousands?

(more!) good fun. See if you know the

your answers on our website. Spread a lit-

answers to our Good Crossword — go

tle good fun!

10. A person who has served in the military.

Also, the theme of this issue. (Plural) 14. This iconic organization helps veterans reintegrate back into everyday life through disaster relief.

16. President Bill Clinton signed H.R.5314, of military service dogs.

_____ pride flag.

or old friend to help, then you can check

through research.

nicknamed "_____ Law" in 2000 in support

15. Veteran Monica Helms is the designer of the

from all the good news to have a little

started a foundation to help veterans

12. An organization that inspires veterans and 13. A sponsor of this issue: _____.com

this issue of the newspaper. Find a new

9. This Grammy Award-winning musician

11. He co-founded the organization CreatiVets. veterans' spouses to start their own business

Fun section, where you can take a break

8. This project is dedicated to veterans who incurred a physical or mental injury while

5. Founders Matthew Griffin and Donald Lee

searching for all the answers throughout

what percent since 2009?

enlist in the armed forces and who was tragi4. A single mother won more than $343 million

Welcome to the Goodnewspaper’s Good

Find the answers to the crossword at goodnewspaper.org/crossword7

GOOD CROSSWORD

support of someone who served this role.

23

17. The quote in the centerfold poster of this issue is from Senator _____, who served in the United States Navy.

18. Most notably, the Patriot Guard Riders show up at _____.

19. Celebrate good news. _____ good news.

21. A veteran from this sandwich shop drove another veteran to the ER.

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