Stories – Salute, Inc. https://www.saluteinc.org Assisting the needs of injured military service members, veterans and their families. Tue, 19 Aug 2025 16:18:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://www.saluteinc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/cropped-SaluteLogo_whiteborder-32x32.jpg Stories – Salute, Inc. https://www.saluteinc.org 32 32 DEDICATION https://www.saluteinc.org/stories/dedication/ Tue, 19 Aug 2025 16:18:40 +0000 https://www.saluteinc.org/?post_type=story&p=3643 Continued]]> Joel has big plans and a quiet dedication.  Permanently disabled from a traumatic brain injury and raising four children with his wife, Joel has experienced many challenges in pursuing his college degree.  But he kept at it, beginning at a community college in 2010, where he earned his Associates Degree before transferring to a four year college.  At this juncture, Joel realized that his untreated brain injury was going to impede his progress and he would only be able to handle one or two classes per semester.  Subsequently, the COVID outbreak and the demands of his family life caused him to take a break from his studies.  Now, finally in a position to finish his degree, Joel faced another obstacle: no computer.  He reached out to SALUTE, INC. for help and received a new laptop & keyboard.  Armed with his new equipment, Joel enrolled in a university program and started new classes.  His projected graduation date is Spring, 2026 – 16 years after he started working towards his college degree.

“I hope to utilize my degree to continue my service somewhere in the nonprofit space.  I have personally been the beneficiary of some amazing organizations which have deeply inspired me to serve the next generation. Currently, I serve as a coach for the local middle school and club team.  Finishing this degree will help me to practice what I preach:  FINSH STRONG.”         Spc. Joel, US Army (retired)

]]> REUNITED https://www.saluteinc.org/stories/reunited/ Thu, 19 Sep 2024 20:14:31 +0000 https://www.saluteinc.org/?post_type=story&p=3427 Continued]]> Eight years in the Marines completed, Sergeant Michael returned to college and finished his degree, despite the lingering injuries related to his service. While looking for a job with his new credentials, he and his wife divorced, which lead to numerous financial difficulties.  Struggling to make mortgage payments on his house without his wife’s financial support, Michael was forced to take out some emergency loans.  Eventually, he lost the house, and moved back to his hometown.  He was still looking for a job, but now homeless.  Not having a permanent address meant that Michael could no longer have visitation with his daughter, which was heart-breaking for him.

Michael needed help with a deposit for an apartment, so he reached out to SALUTE.  SALUTE was able to provide the security deposit and Michael was able to be reunited with his daughter.

“Sometimes, no matter who you are, you find yourself in a time of need, and I’m happy I set my ego aside and reached out.  Your organization has been a pinnacle turning point in my life.”                                    Sgt. Michael, USMC (Retired)

]]> FAMILY SUPPORT IS KEY https://www.saluteinc.org/stories/family-support-is-key/ Tue, 21 May 2024 15:52:43 +0000 https://www.saluteinc.org/?post_type=story&p=3386 Continued]]> They have one son serving in the Navy and another one serving in the Marines. Angelo and Paolo’s parents missed their boys, but wholeheartedly supported their sons’ service and dedication to our country. Their oldest son, Angelo, finished his basic training for the Navy in Illinois and then transferred to a Florida base. In Florida, he started his studies in Cyber Security Command. Not too long after his relocation, Angelo had a seizure which developed some complications as the weeks went by. He started experiencing severe headaches, loss of speech, and difficulty with comprehension. Repeatedly visiting the hospital emergency departments, he struggled for several weeks until he was admitted to the hospital. His worried parents rushed from their home in Illinois to be at his side.

Still searching for the proper diagnosis of his illness, he was transferred to a Chicago hospital where he was finally diagnosed with Anti-NMDA receptor autoimmune encephalitis (aka Brain on Fire). Once diagnosed, the medical team provided proper medical treatment, which provided some relief from his neurological and psychiatric symptoms. His health stabilized, Angelo was transferred to the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for further recovery and intensive rehabilitation.

Through this long and exhausting journey, his parents were at his side, encouraging and supporting him through all the therapies and treatments. His father took an unpaid leave from work to be at his son’s side and provided transportation to medical and therapy appointments. SALUTE was proud to provide this devoted family with mortgage payments so they could be with Angelo during his illness and rehabilitation. Angelo is making good steady progress towards a full recovery and his dad is able to go back to his job confident that his son is on the path to wellness.

“Your very generous gift allowed us to be beside him throughout his journey, without worrying about our mortgage bills for a few months.”
Angelo’s Parents

“Thank you so much for all your support in my recovery and for taking care of me and my family. Know that you are so appreciated and that your impact has changed my life in so many good ways.” Angelo G.

]]> MOVING BACK HOME https://www.saluteinc.org/stories/moving-back-home/ Mon, 13 May 2024 20:31:23 +0000 https://www.saluteinc.org/?post_type=story&p=3377 Continued]]> Working overseas sounds romantic and adventurous, but when you want to move back home, there are a lot of logistics and expenses. Just recently retired from the Army and waiting on his disability pay, injured veteran Andrew faced a big move from an overseas base to the United States.  Moving all his possessions after four years abroad as well as looking for an apartment and new job was daunting and expensive.  Andrew needed help with a security deposit and rent for a new apartment.  SALUTE was able to assist with his rent, providing stable housing and relief from financial stress as he starts a new job and gets reacquainted with life in America.

 

“Thank you so much for your generous support. The transition from military to civilian life has been extremely difficult. From dealing with housing, illnesses, and transferring my whole life from an overseas base, your organization has given me peace of mind that there is a future for veterans after the military. I hope one day I can pay it forward to veterans in need like I was before. “   

SPC Andrew

]]> STILL RUNNING https://www.saluteinc.org/stories/still-running/ Thu, 21 Mar 2024 18:52:54 +0000 https://www.saluteinc.org/?post_type=story&p=3252 Continued]]> Army veterans Dustin and his wife Lyndsey share a deep commitment to each other, their young son and our country.  They also share a passionate love of running. Early in 2019, Dustin and Lyndsey were completing the required Army Physical Fitness Test with their unit. During the two mile run, Dustin collapsed, suffering an anoxic brain injury.  This traumatic injury forced Dustin into retirement and has confined him to a wheelchair.   However, using every piece of strength and determination he learned in his 13 years as an Army nurse, Dustin persevered and worked very hard to recover.  A demanding regime of physical therapy along with other interventions has greatly aided his recovery.

Lyndsey is determined to keep Dustin running, so she has pushed him in his wheelchair to the finish line in many races.  Always the competitor, Dustin has committed to completing a 10K each month, while Lyndsey is also running monthly half marathons.  The veteran couple reached out to SALUTE, asking for help purchasing an adaptive running chair to continue Dustin’s quest to keep active.  The new running chair is much easier for Lyndsey to push, while providing a more comfortable ride for Dustin.  Next on their running bucket list:  Running with Team SALUTE in the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon!

“…Our hopes and dreams were just starting and so quickly life became unknown…We are so very grateful to SALUTE for help with the adaptive running chair for Dustin and look forward to many future happenings with this very supportive organization.  ”  Lyndsey

 

]]> A SAFETY NET https://www.saluteinc.org/stories/a-safety-net/ Mon, 13 May 2024 20:33:34 +0000 https://www.saluteinc.org/?post_type=story&p=3379 Continued]]> Seeking mental health treatment was definitely outside Lance Corporal Eric’s comfort zone.  He’d been away from home for a time and was in between jobs. Struggling with some post-service issues, he was admitted into a hospital-based mental health program, where he reached out to SALUTE for assistance.   SALUTE was able to provide payments on his car loans and electric bill.  Financial stress reduced, Eric was able to fully engage in the program, allowing him to move forward in life with a clearer vision.

“SALUTE has been a safety net during a financially turbulent time and ensured my family had a stable place to live during our few months of transition.  I don’t know where we would be without your support!”     LCpl Eric

]]> ESSENTIAL TRANSPORTATION https://www.saluteinc.org/stories/essential-transportation-2/ Tue, 26 Mar 2024 18:00:24 +0000 https://www.saluteinc.org/?post_type=story&p=3265 Continued]]> A reliable car is essential for a family, providing transportation to a job interview, a doctor’s appointment or school.  Having an unexpected car repair bill due to an accident is a serious financial stress for a family living on disability benefits.

Just recently discharged from the Army, Carina and her spouse were both looking for employment when the car accident happened, so the repair of the one car they shared took precedence over their other bills.   Carina reached out to SALUTE to ask for help with other household expenses as they continued their job search.  SALUTE was able to assist the family with rent and car payments, tiding them over until they were able to find employment.

“…when asking for financial help, they made me and my family feel important…SALUTE is a responsible organization that we can trust for support.” 

SPC Carina, Army

]]> A DEEP BREATH https://www.saluteinc.org/stories/a-deep-breath/ Thu, 09 May 2024 17:03:38 +0000 https://www.saluteinc.org/?post_type=story&p=3365 Continued]]> A seasoned military member, Staff Sergeant Lucas was used to hard work and overcoming obstacles.  His twelve years in the Army, which included deployments to Afghanistan and Kosovo, taught him flexibility and the power of determination.  However, none of his military experience prepared him for the devastating diagnosis of brain cancer.  Going through radiotherapy, chemotherapy and brain surgery was an emotional and physically exhausting journey.  In order to care for him during this illness, Lucas’ wife left her job. Depleted by the cancer fight and no longer physically able to serve, Lucas had begun the process of medically retiring from the Army.  Struggling financially, Lucas asked SALUTE for assistance with rent.  SALUTE provided the rent, relieving some of his family’s stress as he continues to convalesce.

“After pushing my ego to the side and asking SALUTE, INC. for financial help, I’ve been able to take a heavy weight off my shoulders.  My fight against brain cancer has been an emotional, mental and physical challenge.  Yet, thanks to my family, thanks to my friends and thanks to over twelve years of military service, I will “keep moving forward”.  Thanks for the support received from SALUTE and all of its donors; military members who have served their country and are going through some challenging times can take a deep breath and enjoy life”               SSgt Lucas

]]> CARING FOR THE FAMILY https://www.saluteinc.org/stories/caring-for-the-family/ Thu, 09 May 2024 17:17:36 +0000 https://www.saluteinc.org/?post_type=story&p=3368 Continued]]> Injuries, sometime invisible, can accrue in a long stint in the Army.  Specialist Liam was experiencing some issues with PTSD, so he found an inpatient rehab center and enrolled for a thirty day program.  Seeking treatment was not the easiest decision for Liam, as he had a lot going on his life right then:  father to four active children and his wife pregnant with a baby girl due soon after his program was over.  However, Liam made the choice to pursue the mental health treatment with a goal of being a better husband and the best father possible for his children.  Sadly, Liam’s wife lost the baby late in the pregnancy, which devastated them both and forced Liam to leave the program to be at her side.  Taking time off of work to recover, the family no longer had the wife’s income to cover expenses.  Liam reached out to SALUTE for help with overdue household bills.  SALUTE was able to provide assistance with rent, car payments and gift cards for food.

“We would like to thank you for all you have done – from the bottom of our hearts. Your assistance made the difference in sinking or swimming for us when we already felt like we were drowning.  Just know you have helped this family in a way that we will not ever forget. “    SPC Liam

]]> THE JOURNEY TO RECOVERY https://www.saluteinc.org/stories/the-journey-to-recovery/ Wed, 17 Apr 2024 16:19:18 +0000 https://www.saluteinc.org/?post_type=story&p=3295 Continued]]> In a single moment, life for Justin – and his whole family – was changed forever.  A member of the elite sniper squad of the 101st Airborne Division, Justin was training in Louisiana for an upcoming deployment.  While traveling back to base, Justin was struck by a speeding pickup truck, and suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, a stroke and multiple open fractures.  The emergency medical team had to resuscitate him twice.   After 17 days in a coma and two months in the Intensive Care unit, he was transferred to the Tampa Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, and spent four months there for acute rehabilitation and recovery.  Finally, he was moved to Virginia, close to his family, where he could continue his rehab.

Almost a year after the accident, Justin regained use of his limbs, but his cognitive abilities were still impaired due to the brain injury.  His parents have been granted guardianship, and his mother quit her job to be his full-time caregiver.  The family was suffering financially because of the expenses incurred to be at Justin’s side during his hospitalizations and the necessary modifications of the family home to keep him safe and mobile.  SALUTE was able to help with mortgage payments relieving some of the financial stress for the family, plus provide a treadmill to help Justin recover his strength at home.

Justin’s dad expressed his thanks:

“Providing us the financial help, while undeniably helpful and appreciated, is merely a shadow compared to the spiritual and mental help your gift really brings.  I cannot possibly tell you how lonely a journey like this can get.  The alienation and feelings of isolation have a way of creeping in and consuming us.  Then you guys come along and save the day…

With highest regards, respect and gratitude, “   The Lynchard Family

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