Military veterans are proud men and women who are reluctant to ask for help, even when the need is overwhelming. Erik knows how difficult it is to reach out for assistance. Serving seven years in the Army as a Black Hawk pilot and paratrooper, Erik was deployed to Baghdad in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Returning home, he faced many of the difficulties veterans often find, and found himself in need of mental health treatment. He was able to find treatment at a veterans’ program, but was still under stress due to mounting bills resulting from his young son’s illness. SALUTE, INC. assisted the family of four with rent payments until their situation was stabilized, allowing Erik to get the mental health treatment he was urgently seeking.
Erik wrote to SALUTE: “Reaching out for help was one of the toughest things I have ever done. The level of compassion, understanding and empathy I was greeted with was nothing less than outstanding. You have given my family hope and helped a Soldier in a time of great need.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”