Help My Dad: Combat Vet Fighting Unfair Termination

I never thought in a million years I would ever have to write something like this.

My name is Shyanna Graziani, and I’m feeling so devastated. I'm about to graduate from New Castle Senior High School, and my dream has always been to move to New York City to go to college. But right now, that dream - and something even more important - is in danger.

My Dad, Luke Graziani, is my hero. He gave 20 years of his life to the Army, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. When he retired, he kept right on serving his country's Veterans at the Bronx VA Medical Center as their Public Affairs Officer. Every day, he helped Veterans who needed someone in their corner. He loved that job with all his heart.

Then, with just an impersonal and thoughtless email, he was terminated. Just like that. Even though they called him 'essential.' Even though his probation was almost over. Everything he gave - twenty years in uniform, his dedication to helping Veterans - none of it seemed to matter.

My Dad is the only one working in his family. My step-mom is studying at LaGuardia Community College, trying to expand her horizons and continuing her education, and my little sister is only three. Without his job, they could lose everything in NYC: their home, their stability, their dreams.

Yes, I want to go to college in the big city. Yes, I want to be near my Dad. But more than anything, I want justice for my father. He's given everything to this country and to helping other Veterans. He can't lose everything now.

I want to raise this money to help them survive while my Dad looks for a new job. Any money left over will go to helping other Veterans - because, after his immediate family, taking care of his Veteran family matters most.

Please help us. Not because of my college dreams, but because my Dad deserves better than this. He's served our country and our Veterans with everything he has. Don't let his service end like this.