Community

Building Dreams for Marines video  

Take a minute to watch a quick YouTube video created by an extremely generous organization Building Dreams for Marines. BDFM is one of many in the long list of people and community that helped me and my family through an overwhelming situation. 

I was a soldier in the Army. I tell you this because I lived off of a paycheck that was significantly lower than minimum wage if you don’t include the benefits like food, housing and the college GI Bill. Now, I’m not complaining. I understood that fact well before joining. I didn’t serve for the money. For me it was duty to Country and ultimately for the experience. I only tell you this to explain that I was never a man of wealth. Most of my money foolishly went into keeping my truck and motorcycle running. It was an expensive but also therapeutic and fun hobby. I loved tinkering around with engines and learning the ins and outs of my Ford and my Harley. The grease and dirt was a badge of honor for me. The real slap in the face is that I can’t use either vehicle right now. That being said throughout my time in the army I had only really saved up a couple grand. But boy did I have a good escape plan from the military. 

I believe I mentioned that when I was shot, I only had a month left on my military contract. I had everything lined up for me to come home and commute to a trade college to become a diesel mechanic. I was going to use the G.I. Bill money to pay for an apartment and hopefully have my girlfriend move in with me. My plan was to use that money to save up for a house eventually, but ultimately I was going to take it all in stride. I don’t think many people plan for an outcome like getting shot in the neck or breaking their neck in a car accident. I know that despite being around so many different weapons in the military and even deploying to combat zones overseas, I never once thought about what it would be like to be shot or to be crippled. I also never thought about the other expenses that came with dealing with my injury. It would mean that I would have family out of work to help me get through everything. There were traveling fees because I was across the country, food, lodging, etc... But bills have to be paid right? This burden was lifted for my family and I by an extremely generous community.

I have experienced firsthand what true generosity and love from a community looks like. I know I have referenced growing up in the small community of Hudson New Hampshire but I had also been gone for 4 1/2 years and I had lost touch with a lot of classmates and family friends. I wasn’t even sure that people remembered me. When I was first able to process everything in the hospital, my family showed me a go fund me account with over $34,000 in it. To me this was insane. Where did this money come from? What have I done to deserve it? Well, it came from all of you. It came from money that you all worked hard for and gave so my family and I could deal with the crisis at hand. It came so we could live as comfortably as possible day by day. This account was just the beginning…

The FRG from my Army unit provided hot meals for my family daily. Pretty much everyone in my chain of command and all of my army friends came by to check in and spend time with my family and I. On top of that complete strangers came by to offer their time and money to my family. It was the worst of times but it was also the most humbling of times because I got to witness what true miracles look like. 

There were different town events that people gathered to as well. The police department organized a massive motorcycle ride, sponsored by a motorcycle club that I was in when I was shot. Going to this ride was my first outing from the hospital and I was so overwhelmed with emotion. Seeing the entire town gather together was a surreal feeling and I will never forget it. There was a huge spaghetti dinner that the town put together as well. I received so many cards from everyone and reading them with my family was incredibly motivating. Unfortunately I was too sick to make it to this event but I saw a lot of the pictures and the cards helped me immensely. The town also organized a corn hole tournament which I was able to attend. I got to see all of my friends and family and enjoy some time away from a hospital bed. The VFW organized a town raffle and donated the proceeds to me.

My first time out of the hospital. Myself with State and local police

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Almost 300 motorcycles lined up to ride for a complete stranger 

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The poster that countless people shared and advertised

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Some of my best friends and I at the corn hole tournament

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The local police department and I

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There were more subtle miracles as well. I needed to get variances from the town in order to build the addition off of my parents house that I was going to live in. The town easily could’ve said no but I had a lot of people in my corner pushing for the variances to go through so I could get home as quickly as possible. Complete strangers who had only heard of me through the news came together and assisted in getting my house built. My neighbors didn’t bat an eye when it came to building my property close to their property line. I love my neighborhood and I love my community. 

 

Now for the big ones. The heavy hitters. I had no money to my name, and now I needed a house that would fit my needs and I couldn’t even afford an apartment. A friend of my dad reached out from an organization named Building Dreams for Marines. He was on their board and mentioned that they might be able to do something for me. It was never a question of how but more of a question of what. What do we have to do to help you. They went in and changed their bylaws so that I would be able to receive the housing grant from them. At the time the VA housing grant was taking forever and I needed to get out of the hospital. Guess what happened next? Senator Maggie Hassan stepped in and within days, the grant was approved. Me, a small town nobody meeting the state senator? Again, unreal. With the money BDFM donated, we were able to finish construction on the house and I was able to move in. After a year and a half staring at 4 white walls and listening to hospital beeps, I was finally home. Home with a brand new house and I paid no money out of pocket. This was unreal. Never in my life had I pictured myself as a home owner. 

Myself and Senator Maggie Hassan

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Now to brag about a few more men and women. The company that built my home is North Point Construction in Hudson, NH. My dad had reached out to the owner, Gary on a whim. My dad knew that he was going to do whatever it took to get me home. Luckily my dad stumbled upon the right man. Gary had the same exact mind set, he was going to do whatever it took to get me home. Gary and his men worked through the coldest days in the winter, slaving away to improve my life. They accommodated everything to make it accessible for me. Gary also reached out to organizations and companies to help donate to the house. I received insane discounts on furniture from Bernie & Phil’s. All of the appliances were donated by Home Depot as well as the concrete for the foundation. Cyr Lumber donated the wood for the frame. Nashua Wallpaper Paint and Flooring donated the flooring, tiling, cabinets, vanities, countertops and shower. A group of local painters painted the entire exterior and interior of the house, including my parents house. The entirety of the siding was also donated and put up by Hammers for Veterans. What sucks is that I know that I am forgetting some things. Truthfully there was so much help that I have difficulty remembering. But in the end I spent nothing and received everything. I received a brand new life and the means to start living again. Never once have I had to worry about finances or living comfortably. That burden was covered by all of you. MY community. Pure miracle workers right in plain view. I owe you all of my thanks. I am humbled by every moment that I live comfortably. I know that it is all because of my community.

I am a proud New Hampshire resident and I am a Hudson townie for life. Now, I’ll be seeing you all at the local Walmart. 

God Bless!