His only choice was peace and you helped him find it.
“I live with my decisions every day,” Charles said.
And he leaned back in his chair to share his story. Behind him was the American flag, and next to him sat his biggest fan, Howard, one of our program leaders.
When you think about it, we all live with our decisions, right? And in Charles’ case, some decisions were made for him, and other decisions, like now, he proudly made himself.
Charles served seven years in the United States Air Force during peacetime. He is so proud of his service and knows his role was important.
“Going into the service was good for me. It was a choice to change my life. I wanted to do right by my daughter.”
Near the end of his military service, someone else’s decision to abuse him changed the course of his life.
For 40 years, Charles has been carrying what he called his 100-pound backpack of burden, pain, and trauma.
“I took a long look at myself, and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Substance use, homelessness, divorce, countless jobs, and I didn’t even know my own potential anymore.”
You can understand this was all too much to carry alone. “My choice was to spiral or live. I love my daughter. I wanted to live … without the 100-pound backpack. I needed to get out of my own way. The choice to get better was my only choice.”
And that’s what brings him to VOAMASS, Howard … and you. He said “someone told me VOAMASS was the place to be. And they were right.”
“When I got here, Howard found a way to put my mind at ease. I looked around at the other veterans, and I realized, we’re all trying to dig out of our own holes. We’re all on a journey together. We respect each other, work hard together, and work hard on our own. I respect their space as much as they respect mine.”
Then Charles leaned in, looked us in the eye and said, “I’m ready for peace. I want a dog and keys to my own space. I want to finally relax and live my life. It’s not too much to ask, is it?”
And then he sat back, an audible sigh of relief and love crossing over him. He said he’s going to be okay.
And his daughter, who has called him every day of her life, knows it too.
““Just last week she called me and said, ‘I’m just so proud of you Dad.‘” And Charles wept with joy.
Yes, I choose to help veterans.
