Program Aids Veterans
Theyre some of the nations unsung heroes.
Military veterans serve their country at home and overseas, in some of the most dangerous and desolate places in the world. They go into battle and some make the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives so others may live in peace and with freedom.
But when many of these soldiers return home, another battle begins. One that many military service men and women never expect once they retire or are discharged from service.
In the military, you dont worry about where youre going to stay, eat or wear, said former Marine Staff Sgt. Antonio Thames. Then you come back here and try to provide for your family and pay utilities and rent. Its totally different.
Thames served in the United States Marine Corps for 16 years, working his way up to staff sergeant and chief of communications at his base. He also completed three tours to Iraq, serving at the height of the second Gulf War in places like Ramadi, Fallujah and Al Asad off and on between 2002 and 2007.
He was medically discharged in 2009 and moved back to LaGrange. Thames said he enrolled at West Georgia Technical College to get a degree in business administration. He was one semester away from graduating when the rug was pulled out from under him.
According to Thames, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) declared he was ineligible for some of the money he had previously received. The VA then took the funds back, leaving Thames suddenly with no money to finish school or even pay his bills or rent. As a father of four, for the first time in his life he also wondered how he was going to provide for his family.
In the military, I made $3,600 every two weeks, said Thames. Now its $1,200 every two weeks. Thats a big difference.
Thames got a job, but still couldnt make ends meet. The bills were piling up and service companies were threatening to shut off his utilities.
My lights would have been cut off and I was close to losing my apartment too, he said. I didnt want my kids there with no utilities.
So Thames immediately started looking for some financial assistance in LaGrange and went to the Community Action For Improvement office. It was there that he learned about a veterans assistance program that would specifically fit his needs.
The next day Thames made an appointment to speak with Paul Stedman, executive director at the LaGrange Personal Aid office. After submitting his DD214 military discharge papers, Thames got the surprise of his life.
LaGrange Personal Aid paid for (the utilities) so I had a zero balance, he said. And they paid for my rent also they helped with food and they even gave me gift cards to get my kids and grandkids stuff for Christmas. They were very helpful it surprised me being that easy (to get help).
But thats the primary focus behind LPAs Charles C. Maddox Veterans Assistance program, also a United Way agency Military veterans only need to provide their discharge papers.
I dont feel that veterans should have to go through a program with so many rules, said Stedman. Theyve already been through enough. The VA helps, but Im not sure how fast they help. And theres a lot of paperwork. The veterans dont need paperwork, they need help. Were hoping to help as many people as we can.
LPAs Veterans Assistance program started in January 2013 and has helped 116 retired service men and women from all the military branches. It has reached out to folks in Troup, Meriwether, Heard and Carroll counties helping veterans pay utility bills, rent, for car repairs, prescriptions, food and much more.
According to Stedman, in 2013, LPA spent $18,000 helping veterans in the program. He said its already exceeded that amount in 2014. All its funding comes from the United Way, churches, grants from the Walmart foundation and private donations.
Thats why were here when you need someone and youre in a bad situation, said Stedman. As long as we have a dollar in our account, no veteran will have their power shut off.
Stedman said they started the program for military veterans because there is no stand-alone nonprofit organization in Troup County that specifically helps them. LPA works with the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization (VFW) and the Marine Corp League to help identify potential clients. Stedman said each veterans military experience and needs are never the same.
Some have trouble adjusting, Stedman said. Military service men and women go through training, go overseas, see their buddies get shot, blood flying then they come home and theyre supposed to go back to just being a civilian. And theyre taught to be self sufficient. The hardest thing for some of them is to ask for help.
You really cant categorize them. Theyre individuals with individual problems and needs. Thats why we look at each case and the roadblock in their way.
Veterans accepted by the program can call LPA when the need arises, multiple times no questions asked.
Its a pleasure to help them, said Stedman. We wouldnt have what we have if it werent for our veterans.
A helping hand that is giving some local veterans, like Antonio Thames, peace of mind. The Veterans Assistance program helped him out again in November, providing his family with a Thanksgiving dinner and gift cards for the kids.
If you go up there and tell them youre a vet, theyll go above and beyond to help you, said Thames. Ive got nothing but praise for them we need more places like LaGrange Personal Aid.
Any veterans seeking assistance or anyone who wants to donate to LPAs veterans program may contact the organization at 706-882-9291.
Tags: Veterans News
