Mission Complete
Operation Freedom Home, Inc.
P.O. Box 1222
Young Harris, GA 30582
404-647-4325
Sponsor A Hero
Contact The Crew if you are interested in sponsoring a solider attending the program or for more information on donating to The Mission visit Sponsor A Hero.
The Wall of Heroes
Welcome to the Wall of Heroes. Here is where you will find the real life stories from soldiers or their families about their lives before and after Operation Freedom Home.
"My name is Joe, a veteran of the post 911 war all over the world. I am telling you my story because any combat veteran (old or young) needs to know they are not alone in this war that occurs after the physical fighting ends and you come home to find you and your whole world has changed..."
"I was just an innocent kid who wanted to serve his country and challenge myself. I joined the Navy and come out of the Navy SEALS’ two year training pipeline ready to go to war. A week later 911 happened and my whole world was upside down. I was terrified and excited all at once. Within weeks I was landing on a remote runway in a far-off third world country intent on doing my duty.
"With in a couple days the reality of war was shoved in my face and I accepted it at the time. I truly believed that I was invincible both physically and mentally. Over the next three and a half years I was thrown into combat so many times I lost track. I saw the worst the world has to offer in war. I was running off adrenaline and a strong belief in what I was doing most of the time. I did not realize that all that death and horrible things I did and saw were going to stay with me to this day.
"After the dust settled from each deployment I would cover up how I felt by partying with my boys. Horrible nightmares, constant angry and a laundry list of other things started to surface. I thought there was something wrong with me. Why was nobody else around me having these things happening to them? I drank myself to sleep, took drugs, and sleeping pills to try and cover up the changes inside me. I felt like I was in my own cold torturous prison and nobody knew I was there.
"I got out of the military after 6 years. When I was discharged they did a full psychological exam on me and I lied my way through because I was “FINE”. I continued to drink and do drugs to cover up how I felt. My biggest fear was that someone would find out the secrets that I wasn’t Ok and I was “weak. I got married and had a daughter. Nothing I did would take away the pain and suffering I had endured.
"One year ago was the low point for me. I felt helpless and alone. I couldn’t talk to anyone because “how could anyone understand how I was feeling”. My life was falling apart and nobody understood why because I wouldn’t tell them. I was scared they would judge me and think I was weak. I started going to the doctor and was put on anti-depressants and other drugs to calm me down. I thought “what was the point of living or going on feeling like this” dozens of times. My doctors finally diagnosed me with PTSD but, didn’t offer any solutions to my problems. “GREAT” I thought, now I know what is wrong with me. Nothing changed except the amount of drugs they gave me. I couldn’t hold a job and was an alcoholic and drug addict. I HAVE NEVER FELT SO COLD, HELPLESS AND ALONE IN MY WHOLE LIFE.
"I was at the end of the road and exhausted. I had a breakdown and the doctors wanted to put me in the “hospital” Hah, yeah right. They put me on more drugs. One morning my sister in law calls me and said, “Joe I think I found someone who can help you, his name is Doug Hudson”. I was very, very skeptical of anyone at this point. My family pushed and pushed for me to give him a call. So I did call and within a few minutes I felt I could trust this guy and open up a bit. I agreed to fly to Georgia and meet with him for a few days. This was the best decision I have ever made. Doug helped me understand that I am not alone and that there are hundreds of thousands of war vets with PTSD or war trauma in this country alone.
"I came back from that few days feeling like I had been found in my cold dark prison and brought to light. When I came home my whole life started to turn around. I actually started to smile and laugh again, my family noticed in a huge way that something changed. It has been 6 months since I saw Doug and I am completely off all the drugs and alcohol. I am feeling better every day even with my ups and downs. The tools and knowledge he gave me help dozens of times every day.
"I was a NAVY SEAL for six years. The “best of best” and war affected me the same way it affects everyone else. PTSD or whatever you want to call it is not a weakness or disease. It is just our minds response to seeing horrible things. It ruined me and my life for a long time. As a fellow combat veteran please just talk to someone about what is troubling you. My BEST humble advice as a forever recovering veteran is to call Doug Hudson and just talk with him on the phone for a couple minutes and decide for yourself. He will not judge you or tell you what is wrong with you, he will just listen. He is a fellow Vietnam veteran and retired trauma paramedic. He has felt, seen and is dealing with the same things we are. It was the best decision I have ever made so let it be yours too.
"All combat Veterans are brothers and sisters. We have to stick together and help one another. We are not alone. There isn’t a good person on this planet that has seen what we have and wasn’t affected by it. If it wasn’t for people who care like Doug I might not be here today to tell you this story."
LIFE HAS A FLAVOR THE PROTECTED WILL NEVER KNOW!
-Joe
