OPERATION THOMAS
Helen Thomas | Bronx, New York
Seen above left is Gold Star Widow: Ms. Helen Thomas, seated alongside her eldest of her three daughters.
Helen was just a young girl in love when she first met John. Little did she know then, that they would spend the rest of their lives together, raising 3 children, and eventually settling into their Bronx apartment in NYC.
John Henry Thomas was born in Demopolis, Alabama, in the winter of 1946. On his 22nd birthday, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and left for to boot camp in Fort Myers, Virginia.
John became a Communications Center Specialist, responsible for relaying critical information during combat operations. By the summer of 1968, he was deployed to Vietnam. Like so many, John returned from war with scars that would affect him for the rest of his life. He was exposed to Agent Orange, which led to chronic health issues related to cancer. Over the years, John endured numerous medical treatments and procedures.
“I had no idea how difficult it would be to get help from the VA after John passed away. The funeral expenses just piled up…it was overwhelming.”
—Helen Thomas, Widow
After John’s sudden passing late one night, Helen was left to navigate the difficult aftermath. The VA reported that he had suffered a stroke, but also acknowledged that his service-connected health conditions likely played a role in his death. Yet, when Helen reached out for help with his burial expenses, the support she hoped for never came.
Feeling lost and alone, Helen didn’t know where to turn. That’s when she received a call that would change everything. Veterans Rebuilding Life had learned of her situation and reached out to offer assistance. A case manager was assigned to Helen, helping her navigate the complex process and ensuring that the VA provided the support and services she so rightfully deserved.
Veterans Rebuilding Life covered the cost of a professional home health aide to assist Helen during her adjustment to living alone. Her case manager also helped her file a: Dependency and Indemnity Compensation claim (DIC) which provided much-needed debt relief. Now, Helen is receiving the support she needs, along with a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in months. “I felt helpless, but now I know I’m not alone.”
MORE MISSIONS