Humboldt Veterans Athletics

Hello my name is Jeremy I am a medically retired Staff Sergeant from the Army and former Deputy Sheriff. From my nearly 20 years of Army Service including 3 combat tours, and my nearly 6 years spent as a Deputy Sheriff for the County of Humboldt, I know suffer from and live with PTSD. As this isn't about me its still important you know where Humboldt Veterans Athletic Association originated. Upon my return from Afghanistan in 2011 and resignation from the Sheriff's Office a short time later I sunk into a deep depression.  That coupled with other sypmptoms of PTSD and the physical pain I was in from the injuries I sustained throughout my military and law enforcement careers I became very docile and unfit. As I began to recover from numerous different surgeries and began to become more physically active and began playing slow pitch softball again.  A sport I had always loved to play.  As I got more physically healthy I noticed a drastic imporvement in my depression and a decrease in my PTSD symptoms.  I began playing softball on an all Veteran team through the local Vet Center that consisted of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans.  As we played together, shared stories, and bonded, we also discovered that we were helping each other heal.  Unfortunately that team disbanded two years ago but that brings us to the present.  I have started another all Veteran mens softball team.  We have 20 players on the roster at this time and plan to play all summer in tournaments both locally in Humboldt County and throughout the region.  Our goal is to travel to Minnesota for a National Military/Veteran tournament September 10-11, 2016 which honors the fallen.  As we have formed this Veteran team we have also decided to bring awareness to the fact that 22 Veterans a day commit suicide in the United States.  It is our goal that by treating Veteran PTSD we will intern be reducing the number of  Veteran suicides.  If I am able to successfully reach our goals this summer with the mens softball team I hope to expand to offering activities for Veterans such as backpacking trips, mountain biking, fishing, hiking.  I am also working with an established IRS 501(c)(3) compliant nonprofit and will be able to provide the appropriate information for tax exemption purposes. For all of this to become a reality its going to cost money.  Many of the Veterans participating are on fixed incomes from the Department of Veterans Affairs and can't afford to participate if they have to pay out of pocket.  Expenses include but are not limited to equipment, tournament fees, travel expenses, uniforms, just to name a few.  If you are intrerested in helping in any way contact me directly.  If you are able to help out financially please know that this isn't just a bunch of guys trying to play softball this is therapy for America's Veterans.  

Thank you for all of your support.  Please spread the word.

SSG(R) Jeremy Voris