Johnie Wasley, 33, lives in Alvin, Texas, with his wife, Shelbi, and their three children. He joined the military to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and to do something good with his life.
He served four years with the Marine Corps, in Iraq and Kuwait. While serving in Iraq, Wasley lost half of his platoon. “I lived but was certain I wouldn’t,” he said. Today, most of Wasley’s injuries are PTS-related from this great loss.
Once home, Wasley struggled. He says he doesn’t remember some of those first months back. His wife and the VFW were there to help. After checking her husband into a PTS inpatient program, Wasley’s wife discovered the VFW’s Unmet Needs program.
The grant paid the Wasleys’ mortgage at a time when they had no income at all. He is extremely thankful to all who have donated to make his story possible.
“You’ll never know what this grant meant to me and my family. I knew my wife and kids got to keep a roof over their heads while I got help. That meant the world to me,” said Wasley. “I don’t have words to express the gratitude I have.”
Today, Wasley is a member of the VFW. He is out of treatment and says this is the best he has felt in 10 years. He wants other veterans to know it’s alright to seek help, and he believes the Unmet Needs program is the solution for those experiencing similar difficulties.
“Some nonprofits wait until you’re months behind on your mortgage. That does nothing but cause more stress and anxiety for a vet struggling with depression and PTS,” Wasley said. “This [VFW program] actually made it possible to get help and keep my family safe. I feel so much better now. I want to donate right back to this generous program that saved us in our darkest hour.”