OPERATION JP
2026 Veteran Mission
At Veterans Rebuilding Life, we often meet people at pivotal moments. For Marine Veteran JP, that moment came after more than thirty years of what he calls a dichotomous life. JP served 4 years in the Marines as an air traffic control supervisor for HMX-1, the Presidential helicopter squadron known as Marine One. He controlled the airspace for two sitting presidents. Since his honorable discharge and relocation to NYC in the 1990s, JP has struggled with reintegration due to severe disabilities from his service that resulted in repeated hospitalizations, extended periods of unemployment, and homelessness.
Through determination and self-advocacy, JP transitioned out of homelessness and into a home of his own with support from the HUD VASH program. He had the keys. What he didn’t have was a single piece of furniture or the financial stability to rebuild his life. He called Veterans Rebuilding Life “What are your needs JP?” What follows is in his own words:
Hello, my name is JP. I’m a Marine Corps veteran with a 100% service-connected disability. I served as an Air Traffic Control Supervisor for the President of the United States, serving two presidents during my tenure. I controlled the Presidential Helicopter Squadron (HMX-1) known as Marine One when the POTUS was onboard. That was a very long time ago.
Since my honorable discharge I attended college, and moved to NYC in the 90s, I’ve lived a dichotomous life, experiencing success and failures, with many peaks and valleys along the way. Like many veterans, I suffer from multiple health issues, including mental health challenges that can sometimes be disabling and overwhelming.
I found Veterans Rebuilding Life online. What immediately struck me about the organization was something that happened during my first phone call. I was experiencing issues related to my mental health and called to find out what services VRL provided. A woman named Damia answered. I explained what I was dealing with and asked about their services. Instead of giving me a standard list of programs, she asked me a simple question: “But what are your needs?”
“Because of what Veterans Rebuilding Life has done for me, I am determined to pay it forward.”
—JP, Marine Corps Veteran
That question made all the difference in the world to me. Rather than taking a cookie-cutter approach: “These are the services we provide…and these are the things you have to do…” she wanted to understand what I actually needed. I literally asked her “What do you mean?” She said,“Just tell me what your needs are, and we will do whatever we can to try to find solutions to meet them.” In more than 30 years since leaving the Marines, Veterans Rebuilding Life is the only organization that approached me this way.
Over the years, I’ve experienced success, but also struggle with mental health, PTSD, and other challenges. I’ve dealt with numerous organizations including the VA. This was the first time I had ever heard someone be so open and willing to find out what my issues are, and then work at finding solutions.
That immediately drew me toward Veterans Rebuilding Life, I hope to become much more involved with the organization. Veterans Rebuilding Life provides many different services and opportunities, including camping trips, yoga, fellowships, and most importantly, connection. I was also fortunate enough to find a beautiful apartment, but I needed furniture. I let Damia know that I could use some help.
She immediately reached out to VRLs partners and connected me with the Open Door Exchange. Together, they helped furnish my entire apartment. If you know anything about NYC, you know how difficult it is to find an apartment, how expensive it can be, and how having extra space feels like finding a gold mine. I had all of this empty space, and now my home is furnished with so many really nice items. I am forever grateful for that.
I want to volunteer my time at VRL and help the next veteran that comes through the door. I’m incredibly happy with the Veterans Rebuilding Life. On a scale of 1 to 10, I give them an 11. Everyone I’ve encountered at VRL is completely dedicated and inspirational.
As a Marine with PTSD, I found a veteran family. What we need is connection. Veterans Rebuilding Life provides that connection in many different ways. I recommend the organization to any veteran who may need support, resources, or just someone willing to ask: “What are your needs?” I wish Veterans Rebuilding Life and tthose they serve all the best. I hope sharing my experience helps other vets. Semper Fidelis.
Within days of JP’s call, VRL reached out to our community partner Open Door Exchange, whose team member Makai worked alongside VRL and JP to furnish nearly his entire apartment. Thanks to the generous support of Two Men and a Truck moving company, JP’s new furniture was transported from ODE’s Long Island warehouse to his new apartment at no cost to him. In addition, with funding from the Cigna Foundation, Veterans Rebuilding Life provided JP with a brand-new mattress.
Within days of JP’s call, VRL reached out to our community partners: Open Door Exchange, whose team member Makai worked with JP to furnish his entire apartment. Thanks to the generous support of Two Men and a Truck Moving Co. JP’s furniture was transported from Open Door Exchange, to his new apartment at no-cost.