A Heartfelt Thank You! A Message of Appreciation from a Marine Corps Purple Heart Veteran to VA Leadership

Joseph Welliver enlisted in the US Marine Corps in October of 2001. His duty station was Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC. While assigned to Camp Lejeune, Joseph was called to deploy on 2 different occasions. 

His initial deployment took him to Al Taqaddum commonly referred to as “TQ” located west of Baghdad.  He also served in the Battle of Fallujah and ended up stationed at Abu Ghraib Prison. 

His second deployment landed him in Ramadi, Iraq. It was on this deployment that his life changed significantly. He suffered injuries as a result of an IED. Joseph was awarded The Purple Heart.

Prior to the second deployment, Joseph shared a story of meeting his Battle Buddy Kyle Price’s family including his 2 sisters. Sadly, Kyle was killed in action. The bond established with Kyle’s family developed and blossomed into a relationship to this day between Joseph and Kyle’s sister Rachel. They have a family together now with a young daughter Raelea. 

Joseph moved to Illinois to be near the family of Kyle, living just down the road from where his friend was laid to rest. He recalls his time after separating from active duty and moving to Illinois. 

He initially moved home to California and reached out to the VA for help. He sadly admits that the interaction at the time with the medical center there was not what he hoped, and this caused him to turn away from the VA all together. 

Fast forward to the present, back in Illinois. After interacting with local Veterans, their words of encouragement brought him to the doors of the Marion VA. Joseph was reserved and all of his concern was lifted as he navigated the Marion VA Health Care System. He stated, “ I could see the difference in the culture at this place, I wish all VA Hospitals could be ran like the Marion VA”.

His experience with the Marion VA is what prompted him to share his experience with our Executive Director Zach Sage, He wanted to share how the VA has impacted his life and made things possible that seemed out of reach to him before.

“I wanted to reach out. I have to assume that as a manager, your day is filled with mostly complaints and problems. Moving from one issue to another. This message will not be one of those. I wanted to say thank you. Since I moved to Illinois and started receiving care through the VA, my life has as a whole has improved largely. I have been able to start addressing my physical and mental health in the Mount Vernon and Marion locations. In both places, I have received nothing but the warmest welcoming compassion and offers of assistance. I have a two-year-old daughter (Raelea), and I can hear her clearly because of my incredible hearing aids. I can hold her (as long as she allows it) because the carpal tunnel surgeries have fixed my hands. I am currently on my second vacation in my adult life because of the advice and support from my mental health counselors. I appreciate every ounce of care I have received from the VA, and mostly, I appreciate you. My military service taught me that culture starts at the top. I can see that you care for the veterans in this community dearly. I very much appreciate your service to myself and others. I can assume your job has required a lot from you and that you likely have had to make sacrifices. I want you to know that I appreciate your hard work, and you have made a profoundly positive impact on life”.

Respectfully, 

Joseph Welliver

US Marine Veteran