23rd Veteran
“Helping heroes with trauma live healthier, happier lives, one step at a time”
Mike Waldron – Executive Director
About
Mike served in time of peace for 3 years of training in preparation for possible combat. In 2001, Mike spent 6 months in the Pacific Ocean where he experienced building schools for children in Indonesia, training on islands of Japan, and preparing for non-lethal extraction of a U.S. Ambassador.
In 2002, Mike was meritoriously promoted for his dedication and duties as a Marine. Afterward, he deployed to Kuwait as a show of force leading to Operation Iraqi Freedom. He spent two months living in a hole he and his team dug in the desert, waiting for President George W. Bush to “declared war”. Mike and his unit were the first to cross the border into Iraq, spending his 21st birthday securing enemy prisoners of war near Al-Bashara. He returned from Iraq after 8 months overseas and was honorably discharged into civilian life.
Following the Marine Corps, Mike obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Managed Federal Buildings and U.S. Courthouses throughout the Midwest. Once he began to re-discover happiness, Mike returned to Purdue to learn Entrepreneurship through EBV, and created his life purpose in serving other veterans.
Often voice something you are grateful for. Studies have proven that a focus on what we are grateful for leads to optimism and happiness. Talking about what we are grateful for is a simple lifestyle practice that allows us to enjoy all the moments in life. When exercising gratitude on a daily basis those brain connections grow stronger allowing us to unwillingly find the positives in situations that used to draw only negatives.
Show others you care, especially those who need it most. Struggling veterans can be difficult to work with. They are often frustrated with life and direct that anger to those trying to help. We remain compassionate to everyone, even in the face of cruelty. Only through your leadership by example will a frustrated veteran learn that the 23rd veteran is a place they are accepted, and we welcome negative thoughts by truly listening to and understanding concerns with composure and compassion. Allowing that veteran to accept us is our only hope of giving them the life they want to live.
Be honest, even when it’s scary. Most military and veterans don’t trust people they don’t serve with. Being less than authentic can permanently damage a veteran’s trust in our organization, preventing them from receiving the help we work so hard to provide. Here we welcome fears and failures and encourage you to share yours right along with sharing your success.
23rd Veteran Mike Waldron
