“I come from a family of veterans, but it’s my brother’s journey that truly lit the fire in my soul. He served eight years in the Army. He was willing to sacrifice everything for what he believed in. But when he got out, he was … Continue readingShe has big heart for homeless vets
“My daughter is a water baby. Always has been. She was part of the Sea Scouts group here in town for four years. She got certified in scuba when she was 14. She learned how to sail small boats and big boats. Her uncle has … Continue readingNaval daughter part of military family legacy
Spa day with Layla, a Boxer-Bullmastiff mix. “I got her in Fort Hood, Texas, at one of the local shelters right outside the base. “I had just returned from my second tour in Iraq and was getting out of the Army. We just kind of … Continue readingLayla helps with post-Army life
“I probably got my love for writing from my mom. She’s a retired English teacher. I’ve always wanted to write. I remember writing plays when I was young, and having my sister and brothers act in them. In elementary school I won a writing contest … Continue readingShe expresses her feelings through her poetry
“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gained a real level of respect for the homeless. For these people to be able to wake up every morning and only have whatever they can fit in their bag or whatever they’re carrying, and go about their day, that … Continue readingSeeing homeless veterans ‘just breaks my heart’
“My parents would always tell me to slow down. Because as a stutterer, when you are trying to speak, you want to get everything out in one breath. But you can’t really do that. And when you stutter, all of your organs are so tense … Continue readingThere’s no ‘magic pill’ for someone who stutters
He was born in Egypt, but he became a U.S. citizen and served in the military here. As a licensed counselor and director of the Veterans Center at Lee College, Ehab Mustafa has made a difference in the lives of countless veterans. Among those is … Continue readingHelping veterans deal with heavy burden
“When I started here, I met a veteran who was 100 percent disabled. About 80 percent of his disability was PTSD. Doctors had told him that his injuries and mental issues were so severe that he shouldn’t expect to be successful in school. Nobody really … Continue readingCenter offers guidance for military veterans
“I’m originally from Egypt. But ever since I was a kid, I was a big fan of American movies. My dream was always to come here one day. “When I was in my mid-20s, I had my bachelor’s degree in accounting but the job market … Continue readingEgypt native gladly serves his new country
Sometimes, one incident can change your path in life. For Derek Coy, it was the death of a close friend to gun violence in 2004. “He was everybody’s best friend. It was one of the hardest things I have been through, mostly because it was … Continue readingMaking a difference for veterans with health issues