Upon joining any branch of the military, young men and women have great dreams and visions of their futures. So many opportunities, and so many adventures. Travel, serve, experience the world, and then… the actual call to duty. With Veteran’s Day around the corner, we are encouraged to remember and honor our Veterans. These men and women have served our country in the good times and the bad. In times of peace, and in times of wars. Both the young and old, veterans are vessels of strength, honor, integrity, and courage, and they carry with them the victories, defeats, struggles, joy, pain, love, and passion for this country they signed over their lives to serve. One of strongest convictions of our veterans is their loyalty to each other. These are men and women who served in times of peace and war, and those who served in operations and locations where their lives were forever changed have returned home to a world that remained the same. For many this transition is hard. Yes, they tell stories and keep their audiences captured with the tales of action, travel, seeing animals we only see in the zoos, and playing in what so many military members refer to as “the sandbox” overseas. They show off battle scars and tattoos and tell tales of scary times, but behind the laughs and fun tales hide memories of those things that can never be unseen. These are the stories that they cannot share with you and I, but they can lean on each other for support when the dark days come. One such Veteran, Brian Gibson of Paducah, KY., recalls countless stories of his time served. So many great stories, filled with adventure, and some that would give a person nightmare… much like the ones he has from time to time. Brian comes from a large family, being one of 13 children. He is one of four generations who have served in different eras for our country. His grandfather served with the 1st Infantry Division on D-Day. His uncle served with the same division in Vietnam. Brian served, again with the same division, in Desert Storm, and Brian’s son served with the division in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Brian joined the military right out of high school, in 1985, and served 10 years of active duty as a medic in the US Army. While deployed to Operation Desert Storm, Brian’s German Native wife left him with their daughter and never returned. He finished his enlistment, and spent a year drinking his way around the country, until his grandfather supplied him a ticket home. He took a job at an ambulance service in Reading, PA, where he met his current Wife, of 25 years, Helene. Helene encouraged him to finish his career in the army to retirement, and he did. Brian struggled with the wounds of war that are not visible to the naked eye. He currently lives in Paducah and is blessed with a great family. Brian says, “My wife is my rock. She has been there for me through the rough times and has supported me when I struggled.” Five years ago, Brian joined a new family when he accepted Jesus as his Savior and began the journey to recovery from alcoholism. There was a point in his life, after military service, that Brian suffered from INTHEVUE.COM the wounds and scars inside. He reached a point where taking his own life was the only option he saw. “Had it not been for my God, my wife, and my church (Free Spirit Biker Church), I would not be sitting here, talking to you today” were his heartfelt words. After his retirement from the Army, Brian struggled with the VA to receive his benefits. The ordeal took well over a year, until he finally received the benefits due to him upon his retirement, with his PTSD. After this struggle, and after his own experience tip-toeing with the monsters in his head so close to the edge, Brian developed a strong burden and passion for helping his fellow brothers and sisters in arms who have been, and currently are, struggling with similar circumstances as his. Thus, Project Diehard was born. This project is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization established by Brian to support veterans in our area. Brian’s vision for Project Die Hard is contagious, and the program has already taken a running start for success! Brian strongly emphasized that he has not, and will not ever, take a salary for his position as founder and president of the organization, because this is not about him. It’s about his fellow veterans. Donations are welcome for Project Diehard, and the facility they plan to build near Paducah called Fort Hope, you can donate at any CPlant Federal Credit Union in the region. They also take donations online, and by mail. Brian said that donations are always welcome, and they are thankful for every penny. He also said that they are looking for patrons; someone who will give monthly donations to the cause consistently. Brian said they are working on a campaign called, “The 500. It’s a campaign for 500 donors to give $500 toward the purchase of the land, and the building of Fort Hope.” Fort Hope is going to be a haven for veterans who need a place to stay. Whether for a day, a night, weekend, or a year, Fort Hope will be open to all veterans to come and be in like company. The facility will be a place of support and encouragement for any veteran who walks through its doors. The plans for Fort Hope are still ongoing and there will be more details about the facility as they develop. Brian’s vision is to see places like Fort Hope in every state in the next 10 years, with Fort Hope in River region being the national headquarters. These facilities will be a type of sanctuary for veterans who are struggling, fallen on hard times, battling with the VA like Brian and so many others, and for those who just need to regroup and cope. “I’m just a soldier.” Brian stated. But, he is more than a soldier. Brian Gibson is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces, as are many of our loved ones. They are our heroes. His vision for honoring his fellow veterans is to support and help them. He is an example for us all. You can find Project Diehard on the web at www.ProjectDiehard.org or on Facebook @ProjectDiehard22 PROMOTING EVENTS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE NOVEMBER 2018 63
