Fall 2025

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Ø Stand-by-me Heroes (SBMH) Often we experience what we call "a God-thing" where seemingly insurmountable situations arise with our veterans and first responders. We analyze and review out-of-the-box and complex situations. Our faith remains consistent and we become more focused, never allowing room for hopelessness. After much effort breaking through obstacles, a solution comes out of left field. The veteran and/or first responder begins to gain traction and a solution comes forth. These complex situations are resolved outside the bounds of logic and common sense. There are many situations we can easily help with, but not every issue is cookie cutter in scope. We have witnessed often that a "God-thing" is the solution: we simply have to pray and wait while lifting the moral of others.

Our team of Foxhole Soul Counselors meet face-to9-face with our heroes and I enjoy the calls of their great efforts and struggles especially when they hit a rock wall. We follow a path of faith, not religion. The concept is not difficult as we focus on mind, body and soul. The VA is focused on the mind and body; we add focus to the soul and faith.

Seeking to volunteer? Our teams consist of civilians, doctors, nurses, retired officers and NCOs and other volunteers. We walk through a 4-day training session via zoom. We learn a simple framework toward recovery and mentorship. Our hero accepts a new mission, learning to manage their injuries and traumas; we gain a friend. Our focus is to reduce the veterans' suicide rate of 22+ per day as well as the growing number within first responders.

Here are some examples of God-things, small miracles:

1) John 1 was angry and distraught. He approached angry stating, "I do not want to talk about my PTSD or TBI. I want you to return my innocence taken by the Army and Afghanistan!"

Foxhole Soul Counselor: They talked into the night and a spiritual epiphany dawned. For years the veteran was suffering from Moral Injury. We talked about a new life's mission, provided recommendations to recovery and later introduced a small group who would not leave his side. Change came after a spiritual anchor was lifted.

2) Jane 1 was considering taking her life. Strong-minded southern gal suffering from PTSD and Moral Injuries. She let her family down and guilt led to alcohol and drugs. She traveled to find a solution. After running for months she called her father for help. He contacted Military Outreach USA and our Stand-by-me Heroes team.

Foxhole Soul Counselor: We directed her to a VA which rejected her for help:. a VA staff member argued they would not admit her because it was the weekend. We escalated to the White House veterans staff and within 30 minutes she was accepted. We remained in contact with the family. Jane called to thank us, stating it was perfect timing as her alternative was very dark. We have since received a call from her father grateful for this God-thing, a miracle.

3) John 2 came home after Afghanistan to find that his wife and kids had abandoned him without warning and their mortgage was in default. He was placed in jail for failing to maintain his property and not making the house payments. He determined enough was enough as he could not see how to recover amid many other overwhelming issues.

Foxhole Soul Counselor: We rant into him at a Jewel Osco parking lot. We instantly knew, watching his eyes, that something was wrong. We had coffee and several conversations. He gave us a chance, and a small team began to pursue solutions. The Sheriff investigated this situation and others came along side us providing support. One day he came to thank us and we let him know he was worth all our efforts. He replied, "You do not understand!" His eyes changed and his demeanor grew very serious. He explained that when we met in the parking lot he was finalizing some issues. His uniform was pressed, weapons cleaned and dates set as all hope was lost. We froze, we hugged and got emotional realizing we had expanded our family!

John 3 and Jane 2 This couple was homeless, living in the streets. Once married, then divorced, they remained with each other for support. We found them temporary shelter. The husband was overweight with other medical issues and in deep depression. After much talking and patience, he finally agreed to make a change. We got him to the VA.

Foxhole Soul Counselor. We met frequently separately and together. We worked with the VA to address mind, body and soul. John and Jane spoke with us and provided updates after all the VA monthly meetings. In time both began to recover physically, mentally and spiritually. Later they renewed their vows and the VA helped them find a HUD-VASH residence.

SUMMARY: These are only a very few of the miracles that occur regularly. Many veterans are not receiving benefits; we work with them and in less than a year they are obtaining VA benefits and medical help. However, many are angry and scared to enter a VA. Why? They remember when their friends were on a waiting list that disappeared though benefits were given to others, their friends were forgotten and died waiting for help. Yet, with time, healing and trust we have gotten many of our heroes their rightful benefits through our partnerships with key Veteran Service Officers with the heart to fight through the bureaucracy.

We hold SBMH Workshops focused on suicide and solutions. After the workshops, we meet 1:1. We often hear that none were disappointed but many have received hope and a sense of direction to move forward.

We have a vision to grow teams of Foxhole Soul Counselors across this great country. These volunteers are good listeners and become mentors. If you have 10 hours a month to spare, you can impact veterans and first responders. Our growing team consists of civilians, doctors, nurses, first responders, retired officers and NCOs. The more "God things" we experience, the more we want to pursue our heroes so they, too, can experience God things in their lives.

Ø Veterans Exiting Homelessness (VEHP) Jim Dunne and his team are coordinating four Move-in-Essential collections this month by churches, schools and organizations which provide basic household and personal hygiene items for veterans transitioning into housing from homelessness. We appreciate the help Jesse Brown, Hines and Lovell VAs provide by distributing these items to deserving veterans in our greater Chicago area.

More about this in our Winter 2025 newsletter, but we thank UNITED Airlines for contributing 12 pallets of blankets and personal hygiene items for our local veterans. Thanks also to BobTokarsky, Sr and Jr, owners of JD Logistics in Elk Grove Village, for donating warehouse space for these items while we are getting them out for distribution.

Jim Dunne and his team coordinate with Veterans Service Organizations, Houses of Worship, retirement homes and other partners to gather donated supplies which are then distributed by local VA facilities and their HUD VASH teams. To date we have provided over 3,000 beds for veterans and supplied over $1,638,071 million in donated move-in-essential items.

Ø Florida SBMH Chapter recently became an official 501(c)(3). This will allow our dedicated team to continue to impact the lives of veterans in an official capacity. This team will support the programs above with a focus on Florida and the Southeast US. More about this in our Winter Newsletter.

Ø SBMH Monthly Town Hall via Zoom (Veteran-related topics)

November 24 meeting: Chappy will present his annual review for 2025

No meeting in December.

Join this monthly call every 4^th Monday @ 6:30 pm CST, 7:30 pm EST. Our hosts are Donna Adams and Chappy Ferrer. Contact us at Donnaadams@militaryoutreachusa.org,

Bridge: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84982315899?pwd=ZjZCL0d4U3Zia3pBZmp5bnJvby9CQT09

Meeting ID: 849 8231 5899, Passcode: 584428, 

Mobile. 312 626 6799, 849 823 15899#

Note: Video may not work depending on your area, but audio will.

Ø SBMH Veterans Community Center Initiative.

We are combining the strengths of our programs to support a new initiative that will have immediate impacts toward reducing the daily suicide deaths of 22+ per day and homelessness.

This Center will be focused on taking female, male and single veterans with children off the streets and provide 24/7 support, VA medical support, training and housing through regional Hud-VASH teams.

Donate: We ask for a monthly recurring donation of $7 so we can convert a facility or purchase property where we can build this center for Veterans. If you know an organization that may want to support this effort monthly or annually, Our website is www.MilitaryOutreachUSA.org. Go to our donation page and in the drop-down you will see Veterans Community Center. You can also scan the QRL to access our brochure.

Veterans Exiting Homelessness Program (VEHP)

Our Veterans Exiting Homelessness Program includes our Beds-for-Vets program. Since 2016, we have supplied 3,070 beds to veterans across our nation, thanks to the support of people like you!

Thank you to all who hold this program in prayer and to those of you who financially support this way of honoring the men and women who served us so well.

If you know of potential opportunities to fund this program and allow qualified Veterans to sleep in their own beds, please let us know. For some, these "Welcome Home" gifts are the first beds of their very own they have ever had, and it is a great way to show our nation's appreciation for their service and sacrifice.

Many companies want to reward employees (or retirees) who volunteer at non-profit organizations - by matching or giving cash to the organization! It is as simple as asking your employer. Or ask a family member and your friends if they work for an organization that rewards volunteering or matches donations. Contact TomasaReis@militaryouteachusa.org for more information.

How you can reach us!

SBMH Help line - 877-734-4244

For additional information please email us at Info@militaryoutreach.org or leave us a message on our website by clicking here.

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR VETERANS

Food Pantries are available across the country to ensure that anyone who needs it has free access to nutritious groceries. My Pantry Express is an online food pantry developed and operated by Northern Illinois Food Bank in collaboration with community partners. It serves our neighbors in 13 counties. Individuals interested in shopping with My Pantry Express can visit their website to place an online grocery order for pick up or delivery at no charge. It's easy:

1. Visit www.MyPantryExpress.org

2. Check when to place an order

3. Check Availability Calendar

4. Click "Shop Now"

5. Your food will be packed and available either for pick up or delivery at your chosen time and location. Home delivery is currently available for anyone living within 14 miles of Joliet, Geneva, Lake Forest or Harvard, IL.

Greater Chicago Veterans Food Pantry at Hines VA Hospital, building 9, auditorium. Every Thursday from 10 am to noon. Providing food for those who served. DD214 & photo required.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA Saturday, December 13, 2025 Take part in this special event to REMEMBER, HONOR and TEACH our community about local veterans who lost their lives in conflict. Attend the solemn ceremony at one of the three area cemeteries hosted by American Legion Post 171. Veterans and volunteers will place 300 wreaths sponsored by local donations on graves of fallen heroes.

Learn more at: www.LegionCrystalLake171.org

Sponsor Wreaths Volunteer Attend

Animal Therapy for Veterans and their families. Last Sunday of each month 10:30 AM to Noon. SoulHarbour Ranch, Barrington IL www.soulharbourranch.com RSVP: Jodie@ 855-408-7685 or call Veteran Liaison USAF Pilot, Lt. Colonel Gina Stramaglio 316-708-9788.

Military Families - 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30 pm CT in person or via Zoom. New expanded location in Gurnee: Maria's Tribe, a support group for veterans' spouses, caregivers, partners and loved ones offers an opportunity for members to share personal experiences, feelings and coping strategies. Maria's Tribe and Bodyworks for Vets, 135 N Greenleaf St, suite 210, Gurnee. 312-818-9721

Veterans Pet Supply Pantry: 4th Thursday of every month 10AM to Noon at Hines VA Hospital, Bldg 9, 5000 5th Avenue Hines IL in conjunction with Hinsdale Humane Society. Includes cat/dog food, cat litter, cat/dog toys 630-323-5630 Click here for more information

Chapter director Phil Jelen is in Englewood, FL. He is a proud member of American Legion Post 113, Rotunda West, FL, and VFW Post 5151 in Streamwood IL.

Chappy Ferrer - Founder, Stand-by-me Heroes, Stand-by-My-Heroes and Our Priority Family

When HOPE is lost. From the foundation of faith HOPE can prevail impacting mind, body and spirit. However, the loss of all HOPE often results in suicide. In the 70’s Sally Struther’s commercials were on-behalf of starving children. Counselors, doctors and volunteers stated these children had a point-of-no-

return injuring the body and psyche. We have witnessed this similarly with soldiers who had their uniforms pressed, weapon cleaned and dates set to end their existence for they too thought they were at the point-of-no-return. They believed there were no solutions after losing their wives, children, house,

car and job. With love, support and time lives have changed and HOPE has revived the soul.

HOPE. The VA sciences focus on the mental and physical which are needed for Post-Traumatic Stress, Military Sexual Traumas and other challenging issues. But when we ignore the spirit, ignore Moral Injury and Moral Distress,

the dark numbers of suicide will never decrease.

Spiritual issues can encompass and magnify mental and physical fatigue. As human beings we do consist of mind, body and soul. Here is where the VA loses its effectiveness. There are spiritual issues to those suffering from Moral Injury but help is omitted from VA solutions. Partnership with community

clergy is vehemently denied. Remove spiritual issues from attempts to heal the mind and body only and suicide rates do not decrease. Read the ‘Deep Dive Report of 2020,’ supported by Alabama and Duke Universities, and prove me wrong after reviewing facts. We have an opportunity to add faith and

community into the healing process but politics continues to dominate limiting a key solution.

Are you capable of learning? Can you listen and empathize? Consider becoming a Foxhole Soul Counselor and learn a simple framework working 1-on-1 with those struggling. Join Military Outreach USA. Our Stand-by-me Heroes training program occurs via zoom. If you are a doctor, nurse, civilian, officer, NCO and certainly a person of faith, partner with us and save a life!

The VA is the largest medical organization in the world attempting to support 20.1 million veterans and they need our help. We include First Responders and active-duty personnel and families. Make a difference, become a volunteer, learn, listen and empathize with our heroes. Interested in a

weekly international devotional? Send an email to Ourpriorityfamily@gmail.com.

Foxhole Soul Counselors (FSC) from our SBMH Chapters attend events and engage with anyone who asks for 1:1 Soul Counseling. Not only are those who lost comrades continuing to hurt, but we must not forget their families and friends. 

We hear souls crying out for someone to ‘Stand-by-me.’ Our Foxhole Soul Counselors are there to speak with anyone suffering from a soul pain, moral injury or PTSD. Foxhole Soul Counselors focus on faith, not religion, to restore one's whole person and to walk with them as friend, as family. 



These men and women, intervening for others, are making a difference resulting in wounded men and women choosing life instead of suicide. We are grateful for those who befriend those calling out for someone to Stand-by-me!

HELP LINE ((877)734-4244. 

Conversations are private, names are never released and you can use your call sign.

SUICIDE AWARENESS & PREVENTION 

Are you worried a Veteran or service member in your life is considering suicide? ASK. Asking about possible suicidal thoughts opens communication, breaks isolation, and validates emotions, reducing stigma and providing an opportunity for immediate support. Then, SEEK HELP. 

Click here to join our Zoom Town Hall 6:30 PM Central time November 24

Meeting ID: 849 8231 5899 Passcode: 584428



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