Last Wednesday I met a friend for lunch out near the Ballston Metro stop in Virginia. After lunch I saw Ivory sitting on a bench in front of a large office complex. His story is one that really touched me.
The 26-year-old Dallas, TX native now lives in Virginia and is an Iraq veteran. Ivory’s story is all too common unfortunately. A man or woman goes into the military and comes out a different person. Ivory joined the Army in April of 2004. After returning from serving in Iraq from 2005-2006 his life took a dark turn. He was discharged from the military in 2008, however he was no longer the role model sergeant with letters of recommendation that he once was.
Ivory sat down with me and opened up and shared how he has coped with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It’s hard to watch this video and not feel compassionate for Ivory and the thousands of other soldiers in similar situations.
Ivory currently is working temp jobs and helping a friend launch Capital Custom, a custom apparel shop.
He seems like a really good guy who has got his act together again. Ivory openly admits that he is still taking it one day at a time and trying to get his life back on track. If there is anyone out there that has went through a similar situation and has some advice for him, I can put you in touch with Ivory or you can leave a comment here.
Stay strong Ivory. Please know that I, and millions of other Americans, have the greatest amount of respect for you and the other men and women serving in our armed forces. Thank you for your service.
UPDATE (April 7, 2010)
I received the following email from Ivory today.
To give you an update on the $10. I decided to give $5 to a church I went to on Easter and am waiting to give the other $5 to someone I’m led to that might really need it.
Also, an update on the job situation. They decided to bring me back for this week. I also got a call from another job opportunity, in which I have an interview next Monday.
How are your ventures going? I’m pretty sure you’ve met some more interested people. Hope to hear from you soon.
Ivory
Year of Giving 
Dear Ivory,
Please know how much I value your service in my behalf, though I can’t say I am happy with this prolonged war, or actually any war.
I too suffer from depression, and a kind of traumatic suffering induced by my life experiences. As a cancer survivor I have to remind myself that each day is a gift.
Thank you for being so open and candid on camera.
I’m rooting for you,
Lauren
Hey Ivory…
First ….Thank You for serving our country! I know you don’t get the credit and praise that you should for what you did for all of us…but know that there are many out there that do appreciate the sacrifices that you have made. I will be praying for you that your life will come together in a very positive way!
Thanks again!
Diana
I admire your courage to stay focused and get help. so many dont perceive they have a problem. My son in law is in the army and a sargent which he has been in for 6 yrs now and i can see how it effects his life thinking abilities. I appreciate the dedication you guys have put forth to keep our country safe and it is a difficult life the military. Tho you sometimes dont always make the right choices in life it is how you recover and make it a learning experience to pass on.We all make bad choices in life some worse than others and it sometimes effects your life for yrs. but you will be stronger for it as you struggle to endure and go forward. It is the ones that never struggle that have it worse when those struggles come along. You seem very possitive and you have to be and dont let it get you down go forward with higher goals in mind your life is what you put forth the effort to do with it. God bless you and your endeavors. Thank you for your dedication. God reads hearts and helps those whose help themselves and others.!
I can’t say it better than the others who have commented but, what I can say is this, your heart shines through. None of us can change our pasts and the decisions we’ve made, but all of us can make decisions that change our present and our future and it’s so cool to hear your voice and see you do that in such a positive way. Be as fearless as you can be, I have faith, just from listening to you, that you’re going to get there. Keep the faith Ivory.