Veterans' Stories - Priority Veteran
Priority Veteran

Veterans’ Stories

Veterans’ Stories

Our nation’s veterans proudly served our country.
Priority Veteran is proud to serve our veterans.

 

Read Real-Life Stories, Testimonials and Comments from Priority Veteran Clients.

At Priority Veteran, it is our honor to help veterans navigate complicated government systems and social services, and link them to the benefits they need and deserve. Following are some real-life Priority Veteran stories of how some of the brave men and women who faced hardship after exiting the military have received the help they needed to get back on their feet and headed in the right direction.

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Willis Bryant, U.S. Air Force (Dothan), Went from under a Bridge to His Own Apartment

Not long ago, Willis Bryant called a downtown Dothan overpass home. “I was homeless living under the bridge there on Range and Main.” Like many homeless people, he turned to a homeless shelter. There, he was introduced to the Priority Veteran program, which helped him get his life back on track. “Basically they’ve gotten me off the streets, gotten me into an apartment and medical through the VA. Never give up hope. They helped me and through my story and I feel like this can help someone else.” Watch the story on WTVY/Dothan.

Adrias Scott, U.S. Army (Montgomery), Credits Priority Veteran with Getting His Life Back on Track

“When I reached out to Priority Veteran, they didn’t hesitate at all. They took me under their wing, guaranteed me that everything would be okay and that I would regain my financial stability. That’s what they did. They stuck with me from the beginning of the process all the way to the end,” said Adrias. “I was one of those veterans that was at risk of losing their home, so when Priority Veteran stepped in, it was such a relief and I didn’t have any worries after that.” Read the story on WSFA/NBC.

Emmitt Bryant, U.S. Marine Corps (Birmingham), Reached out for Help during Tough Times

Emmitt Bryant turned to Priority Veteran for help when he recently fell on hard times. “I ran into a rough patch in November of last year, which I was trying to address, but I had too much pride,” recalls Bryant. Working with his Priority Veteran case worker, he focused on developing a budget and planning to stay on course.  Watch the story on ABC 33-40.

Floyd Alexander, U.S. Army (Huntsville), from a Tent City to a One-Bedroom Apartment

While serving in the U.S. Army, Floyd Alexander received the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon/Sharpshooter Qualification Badge, Hand Grenade/Marksman Qualification Badge and the M-16 Rifle/Air Assault Badge.

After serving active duty, however, times were hard and he and his spouse were living in a tent city in the Huntsville area. At first reluctant, Floyd began working with United Way’s Priority Veteran program, which was conducting outreach in the tent city. Soon the couple was able to move into a one-bedroom apartment convenient to transportation and a shopping plaza. Now both husband and wife are employed and working closely with Priority Veteran on financially stabilizing factors such as budgeting, reducing debt, obtaining timely health services and increasing their social and emotional-support systems. Floyd is even looking for a second job to supplement the family’s monthly income.

Bobby Dawson, U.S. Army (Tuscaloosa), No Two Veterans' Stories Are Alike

Bobby Dawson, who served three years in the U.S. Army during the Gulf War, is a wheelchair-bound veteran who weaved in and out of stable housing since his discharge. He was referred to Priority Veteran by the VA while recovering from surgery. His modest trailer was in desperate need of repairs and he had no running water or electricity because he was unable to pay the utility bills.

“With United Way’s Priority Veteran, it’s a blessing that there’s somebody out there who really cares for people who can’t do for themselves in their time of need,” Dawson said.

Priority Veteran assisted him with applying for Social Security benefits, reconnecting his utilities and arranging for improvements to make his trailer wheelchair-accessible. Bobby said, “Without this program, I wouldn’t have survived.” He credits Priority Veteran with helping him — saying “I believe in good and hope again.”

Marilyn Schnepp, U.S. Marine Corps (Birmingham), Help When All Is Lost in a Fire

At age 81, Marilyn Schnepp, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the 1950s, unexpectedly had to abandon her apartment at the Birmingham Trade Towers, which burned in the fall of 2015. Suddenly homeless with none of her belongings, personal identification or documents, she was relieved to meet Orlando Boston, a United Way Priority Veteran case manager who was able to help her overcome many hardships, including finding a new place to live in a senior living facility.

Marilyn still has the strength and grit of a former Marine, but she is grateful for the help she received from Priority Veteran. One of the biggest obstacles she faced was lack of identification and personal records, which were all lost in the fire. Priority Veteran helped her obtain a replacement driver license and a new Social Security card, and helped her navigate the verification of benefits to which she was entitled.

Marilyn shed tears of joy when her application for the senior living facility was finally approved. Priority Veteran was able to further assist her in settling into her new home by providing a bed, household goods and items to stock her pantry.  

Women Veteran Facts:

  • 1918 –  the first woman joined the U.S. Marine Corps, Pvt. Opha Mae Johnson.
  • 1950 – the Marine Women Reserves were mobilized for the Korean War and 2,787 women served proudly.
  • 1967 – the 2% restriction on the number of women allowed to serve in the U.S. military was lifted and senior officer ranks were open to women as a result of a modification of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act.
  • 2016 – 8% of the veteran population is female and 11% of veterans are over age 80.

Sources: www.womenmarines.org and www.va.gov

Danny Brook, U.S. Military Veteran (Tuskegee), Linked to Resources to Avoid Homelessness

Danny was five months behind on his rent when he first began working with Priority Veteran. He said, “Right now I’m at risk of being homeless. I have no food or nothing.” He also couldn’t pay his bills or afford to get his car repaired. When Danny met with his Priority Veteran case worker, he had no idea that she could be such a big help. He was able to bring his rent up to date, get help with bills, get food from a food bank and even get his car repaired. Danny says, “For me, Priority Veteran is a Blessing from God.”

Annie Lee Pierce, U.S. Navy (Tuskegee), Recommends Priority Veteran to Anyone

Annie Lee, a proud U.S. Navy veteran called on Priority Veteran for help when she needed it. She was glad that Priority Veteran has representatives in Tuskegee. She says, “I appreciate all the help that was given to me.”  Whenever she can, she  recommends Priority Veteran to any veterans who need assistance.

Matt and Amanda, U.S. Army (Tuscaloosa), Once Homeless but “We Now Have a Solid Plan”

Matt and Amanda, both U.S. Army veterans, have three children, two of whom have special needs. They were homeless after Matt lost his job and all five family members were living at a Rodeway Inn. Matt learned about Priority Veteran through the VA in Tuscaloosa. Working with their Priority Veteran case manager, they received financial counseling and help with credit repair. Now their finances are in order and they are living in a house – and they plan to buy it. Matt says, “Priority Veteran didn’t give up on me or my family. We now have a solid plan to stay on our feet and even come out on top.”

Robert, U.S. Marine Corps (Birmingham), No Longer Cut off from His Family

When Robert, who served in Iraq for 48 months, entered the Marine Corps, he was married and had a home. Upon his discharge, he was divorced, homeless and living in his broken-down car. Embarrassed by his living conditions, he shut everyone out of his life. Once he began working with his Priority Veteran case manager, his life began to improve. Within two weeks, Priority Veteran provided housing and assisted with getting his car repaired. He continues to work with his Priority Veteran case manager and happily reports that his relationship with his family has improved and he is socializing more. He credits Priority Veteran with turning his life around.

Andrea, U.S. Military Veteran (Huntsville), Turned Her Life Around

“The assistance Priority Veteran provided me was unbelievable. I never thought an organization existed that could totally turn my life around. Thank you so much!”

James, U.S. Navy (Huntsville), Is Now out of the Woods

James was literally living in the woods. Fortunately, he received a housing voucher from HUD, but still needed assistance with costly utility and security deposits before he could afford to move into an apartment. With help from Priority Veteran, James got his needs met and is living in a stable home. He is grateful for the help he received from Priority Veteran.

Terri, U.S. Marine Corps (Huntsville), from Homeless to a Safe Home

Literally overnight, Terri and her children unexpectedly became homeless and had  nowhere to turn. Terri credits Priority Veteran for the fact that she and her children have beds to sleep in and a place to call home. She says the Priority Veteran team helped stabilize her life, and she thanks God that such a program exists.