BONHAM, TX-- Retired Sgt. Justin Bond is traveling across the country, by Segway, raising awareness about the dramatic increase soldier suicides.
He's spreading the word there is help and hope for our military men and women coming home. Bond was deployed to Iraq in 2004, when his convoy was attacked. He lost his left leg.
"I left the battlefield wounded, I left my brothers and sisters over there fighting and I know when they return home, they're going to need help. I know, I've lost a lot of friends to suicide, in fact just in the past couple of weeks and I'm tired of that."
After Bond realized he wasn't the only one struggling to readjust to civilian life, he started the "Our Heroes' Dreams." A nonprofit organization. It helps grant wishes to veterans and lets them know, they're not alone.
One of Bond's stops on his 3,000 mile adventure was the VA hosptial in Bonham, where Jim Atkins works with the suicide prevention program.
"I think it's important for these kind of guys to come in because the veterans can relate to them in a different way because they both have been in battle," Atkins explained.
Bond's story hit home with, Elgine Clayton, a Viatnam veteran.
"If you know a veteran, you need to talk to them, you need to hug them, you need to tell them you love them, and tell them you care about them and help them be around," Clayton said.
Bond said his goal is to give these veterans a reason to get up in the mornings. To help soldiers find their passion and be able to execute it .
"As Americans, we owe this to our veterans to help them. But it's as simple as helping them find a new mission in life and it's working. We've had a 100% success rate in this mission."
On the Web:
Posted: 05/08/13 - The Sherman Public Library is very excited about our upcoming Summer Reading Club for children and teens. Children ages birth-11 can Dig into Reading and join the Youth Summer Reading Club. The theme for the Teen Summer Reading Club this year is Beneath the Surface and it is open to teens ages 12-18. Read More
Posted: 05/07/13 - DURANT, Okla. – Regent Terry Matlock will deliver remarks at Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s Spring Commencement, scheduled for Saturday, May 11, at Paul Laird Field. The ceremony (for all schools) will begin at 10 a.m. A reception will follow at 11:30 a.m. in the Visual & Performing Arts Center. Read More
Posted: 05/06/13 - SHERMAN, TEXAS—Members of the Austin College Class of 2013 are counting down the days until graduation—with both excitement and trepidation. Austin College President Marjorie Hass will present diplomas to more than 340 bachelor’s degree candidates and 18 Master of Arts in Teaching degree candidates who will take part in graduation events May 18 and 19 on campus. Read More
