Veterans helping veterans

News

Wednesday, 08 September 2021 11:05

VFW Post 6073 and American Legion Post 30 have organized a volunteer work force of veterans to help local veterans-in-need. The projects are reviewed, approved, and funded by the VFW and AL prior to initiating a project. A project to build a handicap ramp was recently approved and completed for a married couple, both local veterans. Brent Waterhouse needed a wheelchair ramp after falling twice trying to leave his house. His wife Deborah will need a ramp after her upcoming back surgery.

Brent Waterhouse retired from the Army as a Staff Sergeant after 21 years of combined military service, having served honorably in the Air Force as a firefighter, Army National Guard, and the Army as a combat medic on dust-off helicopters, Brent’s service included a tour in Kosovo and Saudi Arabia during Operation Enduring Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. Brent received numerous medals and recognitions for his distinguished service, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, USAF Commendation Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal w/Bronze Service Star, and the Kosovo Campaign Medal.

Deborah (Warren) Waterhouse, hometown Skyline, Alabama, served in the Army National Guard, being activated to regular Army to serve a tour in Kosovo as a medical surgical nurse. Deborah distinguished herself obtaining numerous medals and recognitions for her service, including the Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, and the NATO Medal. After 14 years of service, Deborah was honorably discharged, attaining the rank of Major.

Local veterans support veterans-in-need to let them know they will never be forgotten and to honor their service to our Country. Every veteran who has served in the military has been impacted in some way by their service. For many of those who served in combat, that impact has caused life-long traumatic memories of their experience. The camaraderie working with other veterans who can relate with their military experiences creates a special bond that cannot be broken. With so many current challenges for our heroes actively serving their Country, just knowing their service is appreciated and other veterans are there to support them when they leave the service.

Veterans Helping Veterans is a group of former Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard men and women ready to give their time and resources to let veterans know they have not been forgotten. If you would like to join this team of veterans, or would like to show your support by a donation, call 256.259.6161 or 256.244.4476.

Local veterans and non-veteran volunteers have also devoted many hours, with support from the citizens and businesses of Jackson County, to build the Veterans Memorial Park (VMP) of Jackson County. The VMP was built with the goals of honoring our fallen heroes, providing a place where veterans and the public can have a place of solitude to visit, and to educate our youth. Veterans are now conducting tours of the VMP for our youth. These tours explain the military displays, discuss the real cost of Freedom, and honor our fallen heroes by hand-over-heart reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. We honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our Freedoms by remembering their service to our country and ensuring their stories are told and never forgotten.