If you had to start over, would you want to do it on your own?
I’d like to introduce myself. My Name is Stephen DeOrnellas, my civilian friends call me Buddy, but when I was serving overseas as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Cutlass Express I went by DeO. As you my have guessed, I am a combat veteran, but what most people don’t guess is that I am a service related disabled veteran. You have probably heard it before, but many combat vets come back with injuries both visible, and unseen. This is why I am putting this letter out there.
I am writing to share an initiative a friend of mine has been working on for a little while now — Valor Haven Estates. Their mission is to create a sustainable, supportive community providing Veterans like myself access to care, support programs, & learning opportunities.
I was lucky enough to meet with the visionaries behind this exciting and ambitious project. They shared their vision with me, and I have to say I wish I had access to such a well thought out approach to reintegration. Knowing that there could be a resource in my home community where I can go and get access to mental health care, useable job skill training, and network with my fellow veterans would have been a game changer.
Think about it like this, if you had to start over, would you want to do it on your own? You would have to research the job market on your own, learn how to translate your wartime skills to civilian terminology on your own, learn a new skill because a service related disability keeps you from doing what your trained to do - on your own. - OR- You hear about Valor Haven where they will come alongside you at whatever level you need; train you, serve you, and prepare you for a level of success you could simply not reach when on your own. We all know it- we need a battle buddy. These guys have our back.
I am writing to strongly endorse Valor Haven, and I encourage you to provide whatever effort, funding, or support you can to make this vision become a reality. I stand with Valor Haven and their vision to serve my brothers and sisters, and I ask that you do as well.
Respectfully,
Stephen DeOrnellas , President - Santa Rosa Tile Supply