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Hooah Helps Former Soldiers Survive Civilian Life In Central Illinois

Fort George Meade Public Affairs Office

On Veterans Day, the nation honors the contributions of soldiers. War though, consumes men and women. It tires them, twists them, and shatters them in ways that make it difficult to re-accustom themselves to the home front.

State Farm Insurance employee Tom Huffington has started a group dedicated to saving the lives of soldiers who are struggling with life after the service. Some may be suicidal.

Huffington was recently named a Red Cross Hero of the Heartland for his work with the wounded veterans assistance group HOOAH, or Healing Outside Of A Hospital. It's also a play on the soldier's call HOOAH, a sign of enthusiasm, martial spirit, and solidarity.

When you see a military veteran, you’re looking at all sorts of life experiences gathered in a spirit of patriotism, love for country and freedom.  Despite that selfless service giving to so many, so many veterans feel alone in their quest for connection once they’re back home.

Ryan Myers spent five years in the Army including one Middle East tour.

"My biggest thing was probably family, wife two kids. Neither one of my kids knew me when I came back. That was my biggest fear to gather through, they didn’t want to have anything to do with me they didn’t know me. That in itself, and kind of being in a living there, you get used to living there you come back and this is almost like foreign soil. You don’t know anybody anymore. You don’t know they aren’t who they used to be they don’t know who you are anymore," said Myers

Some veterans might seek comradeship, similar to service days, to overcome loneliness and isolation after a life-threatening diagnosis. Such was the case when Bill Coomer was diagnosed with throat cancer.

"They’re going to listen to what I got to say, financially mentally spiritually. If there’s anything they can do, they’re the first people to be there for you. That’s rare," said Coomer.

For others, it’s about looking for help reconstructing life after a roadside bomb sends you home. That was Josh Kelly’s scenario.

"I just got an amputation 3 months, had been on pain meds, needed help moving forward," said Kelly.

Each story is unique. But the need to be understood and accepted for who they are now is the same, as they search for a new sense of purpose. That's according to American Red Cross of the Heartland Hero Tom Huffington.

"A lot of these guys do not want to leave the military. They don’t know what to do other than be a solider. That’s what they wanted to do their entire life. Whether it’s a back injury arm neck, PTSD, TBI, you’re 80-90 percent disabled. Go to the VA and good luck. A lot of these guys are medically retired and they don’t want, they want to go out on their own terms," said Huffington.

Each person’s story adds one new reason the young group Healing Outside of a Hospital, better known as HOOAH, was created. The group gathers veterans who are disabled together to share time, in hope it brings healing.  Marine Corp veteran Josh Kelly, who had his leg amputated, said you don’t always feel valued for your sacrifices.

"You have to know people do change when you go into combat and come back. Your brain is different. When you come into this group, whoever you are, they are very accepting. They are very protective of you," said Kelly.

Air Force Veteran Bill Coomer said it takes time to build trust, but less so when you feel instant connection to those who get what you’ve experienced.

"It don’t take but a minute for a combat veteran to understand he’s talking to another combat veteran, and it doesn’t come out quickly. It takes time, that’s why these events are 4 or 5 days," said Coomer

HOOAH has grown from helping 6 veterans the first year to 140 just three years later at about 20 formal and informal hunting and social events this year.  It operates with 3 board members and is entirely volunteer. The criteria for veterans are pretty simple.  You have to have at least a 10% disability.  Kelly said sometimes less is more when it comes to attempting to get veterans to open up.

"A lot of times people don’t really know you are a veteran. A lot of times you don’t really want to get in that conversation with people. Again with these guys don’t ask you about your experiences. You just end up feeling comfortable enough to share about your experiences," said Kelly.

National statistics show there are an astounding twenty two military veteran suicides each day. That's an indication, Ryan Myers said, you never know exactly what people are going through.

"I talked to guys who say if it wasn’t for groups like this or this group they wouldn’t be here today," said Myers.

Kelly has been touched closely by what this group considers unnecessary loss.

"I personally just lost my platoon commander ten months ago to suicide. It’s a very very real problem that’s in our community, and there is a community. Nobody knows the right answer," said Kelly.

Supporters believe HOOAH is one of the solutions. Their goal is to reduce the number of veteran suicides by reaching more and more disabled veterans. Founder Tom Huffington said they are committed to NOT turning away anyone.

"It’s PTSD I”m telling you right now. We gotta help all of them, the injuries you can’t see are the ones causing suicides among our military. I think that’s what is the right environment with people they are comfortable with and they’re to going to be judged," said Huffington.

In addition to safety, support, and friendship, Board member Tom Gaither says some soldiers just desperately need laughter.

"It was such a challenge for them to come, back in their comfort zone. They open up. They talk. The burden isn’t so heavy if you share it," said Gaither.

For Tom Huffington, there’s no turning back now. This group is gaining momentum.

"Next to my kids being born, it's the coolest thing I’ve ever done. I had no idea the emotional value, how much it would change lives. I have a survivors plaque with twenty two names on it that would not be here if it weren’t for programs like ours. The sign is they were ready to end their life and this program saved their life," said Huffington.

Tom Gaither says twenty two is a number he doesn’t want to hear any more when talking about daily military veteran suicides.

"We can get rid of this twenty two if everybody does just a little bit, just a little bit," said Gaither.