As a result of my PTSD which was caused by multiple traumas and TBI’s throughout the years, I turned to alcohol like most do to curtail the effects of my illness, such as hyper vigilance, mood swings, anxiety, the inability to sleep and overall inability to form and maintain close personal relationships in my life.

Because of this I decided to reach out for help, which is not easy for team guys as you can imagine. However, vulnerability is courage. This is something I learned in rehabilitation at the HOG that will stay with me forever. So, in order to find help I reached out to AMW founder, Debbie Lee, the mother of Mark Lee, the first SEAL KIA in OIF. AMW historically helped me treat my TBI’s with hyperbaric treatments, so it was natural and comfortable for me to reach out to Debbie Lee for guidance. During my initial contact with Debbie Lee, she informed me of a man named Ken Beyer who owns Harbor of Grace Recovery center in Havre De Grace, Maryland. Which is also home to the National First Responders rehabilitation program. After my initial conversation with Ken, I was sold on Ken, the program and couldn’t have been more ready to start the journey. With that said, with Debbie and Ken’s help I was in treatment within a week and a half.

Upon arrival at the HOG, as it is referred to by staff and patients alike. I was seen by medical personnel, evaluated, then placed in observation for the night. The next day I was moved to the male residence and immediately started the daily process of rehabilitation. Which involved daily AA meetings, sometimes multiple, morning meditations, Arts and craft, exercise in many other classes to aid in the recovery, healing and tools to aid with introspection into oneself.

The first week I spent a lot of time just listening to the various stories of how and why most, if not all of the patients were there. I was amazed what a stark contrast there was between how and why we all ended up there but even more interesting was how at the end of the day, no matter how different our stories, we all still ended up in the same place. I did take note of one thing, everyone but me was there by proxy of job, judge and or family. Sometimes a combination of all three. I was lucky enough to recognize I needed help before I was made to get help by the aforementioned, even though I truly needed it long before that and could have easily followed the same path. At the end of the day we all had this one thing in common. This one thing that only God, hard work, perseverance, consistency and the tools necessary to heal could lead us down the path of true recovery.

The second week, I really started to grasp and understand my “WHY.” This is when I first heard the phrase “Vulnerability is Courage.” I quickly learned I had to adopt this new way of thinking and realized it was a necessary tool in order for me to open up and receive the most benefit from this process. I decided that day to bare it all, be vulnerable and courageous! Frankly it was the most liberating decision I made in a very long time. No more excuses, no more hiding and soon the old me began to fade away right before my eyes. I started my own personal regime to capitalize on my experience by waking up early, meditating, doing yoga and working out before the day even started. With every passing day, I got stronger and felt simply more amazing as the days went on.

By week three I had some of the First Responders working out with me in the mornings and eventually some of the other patients as well, to include crack, heroin and other prescription drug users as well as lifelong addict’s and alcoholics. This gave me a sense of joy and a feeling of purpose to which I hadn’t felt in years. Helping others find their motivation and inner strength is a passion of mine. This was all part of my healing process and it was working! I knew this to be the case, as I woke up every morning with a smile on my face and bouts of laughter throughout the day that I had genuinely not felt in years.

Week four was all about reinforcing these tools, values within myself. I learned about maintaining the habits and rituals that I created while at the HOG. I was mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually ready to enter a new phase of my life. Another life challenge completed. Much like the arduous task of SEAL training, this truly challenged me to my core, to become the best version of me, stronger version of me and healthier version of me. This just like SEAL training will forever change the fabric of my character and allow me to get one step closer to the man, father, son and brother I know I can and choose to be.

Upon returning home, I’ve kept up with my daily routine’s without fail and maintain the continuing treatment plan created for me prior to leaving the HOG. Every day is a new day of discovery, taking personal inventory and evolving. I feel blessed, excited and I look forward to each and every day, moment and second this process has given me.

Final Thoughts…

Regardless of who you are, where you’ve been and what you’ve accomplished in life, it’s never too late to better yourself, the situation and enrich the lives of those around you by doing what is best for you first. I say pray every day, Thank God for your gifts and your blessings, don’t judge others, because if you just listen, You will find you have more in common with them than you could have ever imagined and most of all, Love yourself because without that, the beauty of your life will never be seen by anyone, especially you!

To all those who came before me, after me and who are still struggling. There is a better life waiting for all of us under God. Amen

Thanks again for all you have been doing to help me. I finish the last session of HBOT tomorrow and I Just wanted to tell you again how much I appreciate it. I believe it has gotten me to where I am. The VA is not doing anything to assist me other than telling me i will be disabled for life.
I really wish I had been able to go and get my brain scan before all the coronavirus crap happened. I do believe there has been a shift in my brain function due to the hyperbaric oxygen therapy. I have been able to think clear I’ve been able to sleep better I have hugely decrease my alcohol intake and have no desire to be drunk ever again and of course the benefits to my leg have been amazing.
I think I told you that the first day I went in there I was on a knee scooter and crutches and could barely put any weight on my foot at all. By the second week of treatment I was going into treatment using a cane and being able to put weight on my foot. By the third week I was able to walk without a cane. At this time I am walking as normal as I think I ever will without having further surgery but the overall feeling in my body is just amazing. I believe the supplements and medications I’ve been getting from Dr. Lemay have been helping as well. I am going to actually miss going to hyperbaric therapy it has become a ritual for me and my boys every day at 3 PM.

Very Respectfully
Dan Shomo

I cannot overstate how much of a positive impact the hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) provided by America’s Mighty Warriors (AMW) has had on my well-being. I have suffered from severe chronic illness for years that presents itself as a myriad of mental symptoms including brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, dizziness, and others. HBOT helped me push past recovery plateaus I had been at for a long time and achieve a new level of mental clarity, focus, as well as a more positive outlook on life in general. I will probably never fully understand the exact mechanisms or injuries which led to my condition. But whatever they were, HBOT has had a dramatic effect on reversing the net effect from the damage they caused. My sincere and heartfelt thanks to AMW for affording me the opportunity to undergo this treatment. It has immensely helped my recovery, which means it has not only improved my quality of life, but that of my family as well.

Monica & Kelly Kuchman

We are so grateful to you and your organization AMW’s and how it helped heal our marriage and Kelly’s TBI. Back in January of 2019 when Kelly was in rehab, he saw an advertisement with a Trident symbol on it and a number to contact AMW’s. I am so glad that we connected with you in Arizona and that you had the compassion and the ability to quickly identify his TBI. In the past, Kelly had been in numerous rehabs, support groups, therapy, and nothing seemed to work until he received Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment. This simple method of breathing in oxygen under pressure was the BREATH of LIFE that he so desperately needed. Since that time and after 40 dives, I have seen tremendous improvements in Kelly’s cognitive thinking; his emotions have stabilized, and now he is able to rest at the end of the night. Most importantly, he gained a new purpose in life. He was no longer a man of self-destruction, but instead he became a man of great compassion with an even larger heart for wounded soldiers, particularly those that have had a difficult time transitioning back to civilian life once returning from the battlefield.

We are so passionate about seeing other Veterans healed from the unseen wounds of war, that we started a social enterprise promoting HBOT through Coffee. BraveHeart Mountain Coffee was birthed out of your compassion and BraveHeart to take a chance on us, so for that we are forever thankful.

Our first major retailer is Costco! We honor you and Marc in our first edition gift box by telling his story and sharing your heart. It is an honor to partner with AMW’s to donate a minimum of 5% of our profits to your organization. Please share this link and encourage your supporters to buy our coffee at:

https://www.costco.com/braveheart-mountain-coffee-4-lbs-dark-&-french-roast,-4-pack.product.100662164.html

Together, we can restore our VETS and hopefully, restore a nation.

Much love and appreciation,

Monica & Kelly Kuchman, Co-Founders

BraveHeart Mountain Coffee, LLC.

www.BraveHeartMountain.com

As far as the changes I’ve experienced:

Increased Cognition: Following the treatment and during, I felt like my brain was getting better at processing things, and my anxiety was getting less. I was diagnosed with OCD in late November, but I was able to start moving in a positive direction before my diagnosis.
Overall Health: Working with Kevin, I identified hormone levels that were out of whack, and I have since been able to correct them using just a little bit of medication and healthy supplements (ones you provide through your program- thanks again).
Sleep: My sleep has improved dramatically from the treatment. Night and Day difference!
Knowledge of Health: Because of the blood test, I identified a flaw in my diet and realized I’m in the pre-diabetic zone. I am correcting my diet and monitoring the number of carbs I’m eating. My hope is to have a better A1C on the next blood test.
Not feeling alone: This is a big one. Being in your program has helped me realize that I’m not alone. OCD can be isolating if you are not educated on it, or live with it for extended periods of months- years without help. Just your willingness to help me and reach out makes me feel like there is a person that cares.

Sincerely
S

My son called after he spoke to you yesterday. I haven’t heard him this hopeful since before he left for the Army. He talked about the incredible gift that you’ve given him and all that he would do to be successful. He’s excited and he actually talked about the future. He has never, ever talked of the future since he’s been home. I truly believe that he didn’t think he would be around in the future.

I had him on speaker so he could talk to his dad and I at the same time. We sat there listening to him speak with tears running down our faces.

I was able to sleep last night, really sleep for the first time in many years. My last thought before drifting off was of your son Marc and how incredibly grateful I am for his giving spirit and his wish for kindness to be bestowed upon others. He sounds like he was a phenomenal man. I’m so, so sorry that he is not with you.

What an incredible way for you to honor him. I want you to know that from this day forward, I will never, ever forget him and what is being done for my son because of him.

God bless you and your family. I hope that you are afforded some peace with your loss in all of the lives that you save as a result.

Thank you again SO MUCH for everything. As I mentioned at the ranch, “thank you” isn’t a big enough word. It was wonderful to be able to wake up surrounded by family in such a beautiful, peaceful, positive setting. I think it really was the first time since Devon passed away that waking up has felt like a positive experience. Devon lived life to the fullest every day and I know that’s what he would want all of us going forward. I feel like our time at the ranch was a perfect first step towards getting back to living that life. God Bless you and your organization. You do amazing and important work.

The 136th AW Enlisted Advisory Council would like to extend our sincere thanks to you – America’s Mighty Warriors, for your Random Act of Kindness donation to our 4th of July event.

Your generous donation enabled us to organize and execute an event which brought airmen and their families together in a very special way. The event brought over 300 people to Globe Life Park in Arlington, including family members of our deployed personnel. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this country’s Independence Day, than with my fellow airmen and the families who support us. This event helped to strengthen the bond between service members across the 136th Airlift Wing.

Due to the huge turnout for the event we had representatives from several of the 136th councils assisting, to include our Enlisted Advisory Council (E1-E6), Top Three Council (E7-E9), First Sergeant’s Council, Chief’s Council (E-9), and Company Grade Officer’s Council. We also had commanders from various squadrons in attendance.

With your Random Act of Kindness donation we were able to provide 80 Texas Rangers Baseball Game tickets and parking vouchers at no cost to our deployed member’s families. On top of that we were also able to cover all of the food and beverages for the tailgating event. Any funds that were left over from your generous donation, have been utilized for our September Wing Heritage Day Event allowing us to provide entrance and food vouchers for over 150 airmen.

We are so grateful and overwhelmed by what you and America’s Mighty Warriors have done for the 136th Airlift Wing. Your random act of kindness did not go unnoticed and we here at the 136th will do our best to perform Random Acts of Kindness like you have shown us.

Sincerely,

Randall O. Cummings, Technical Sergeant
136th Airlift Wing Enlisted Advisory Council Member

We received the AMW Care Package. We appreciate the goodies, the sentiment, and all the support from your organization and the American people. The package provided an uplift to everyone in the shop and we shared the letter and goodies with the entire Command.

Also, thank you for your sacrifice and service.

Very Respectfully,
Mike

Mike Lackman
Contractor, VATC INC

I had the pleasure of meeting you at the Build a Bear event a few weeks ago in San Diego, and I know that my husband has met you several times before. I just wanted to send you a quick note to say thank you so much for providing us with Build A Bear Deployment Bears. It’s so wonderful for the kids to have this tangible and comforting reminder of their dad’s while they are overseas.

My husband left for deployment over the weekend, and I know that his “daddy bear” has provided our 5 year old with a source of comfort and familiarity already (and he knows that, while he might not be able to see or talk to his dad whenever he wants, he is able to hear his voice through the recording on the bear, and it’s a reminder that his dad loves him and is always thinking of him!).

Thank you so much for thinking of the families and for providing us with this blessing. It really means so much to the kids and to our families!

With sincere thanks and best wishes,

Catherine

I am active duty Air Force (huuuah). I am writing to let you know you and Marc’s story have gotten me through my darkest time. I have not seen combat I have not been deployed but I had a bad knee injury and a few surgeries to fix it. It was the most helpless time in my life and Marc’s letter and story got me through it. Drunk and ready to take my life I constantly watched Marc’s story in history channel to keep myself safe. I love him and one day hope to be remembered like Marc. Thank you

I’d like to find the words to adequately express my appreciation for America’s Mighty Warriors, there are none…I am blessed. I am a recipient of your generosity, you’ve helped a fellow teammate get back on track in my walk through the fire. I read Marks’ letter and Debbie’s bio and am humbled by such love and care. Thank you for being in my life at my time of need. My blessings to the organization and the people that are the heartbeat that is spreading Love. Thank you. Gil ‘Espi’ Espinoza class 42, SEAL Team One.

This is BW, you sent me to HBOT. I wanted to thank you for the opportunity! It’s been a tough thing on my mind, as I’m on the latter 1/4th of the treatments I hadn’t “seen” any results, but last week I had my first dream in at least 15 years and my ticks are all but gone, but real close to gone.

It is just a glimmer of hope, but my excitement was through the roof because normalcy is within reach again! I appreciate the opportunity and I cannot wait for the new scan next month to see what I haven’t felt in years. BW