Dear Friends,
It was 4 a.m. on a hot and humid June morning in Virginia. I was half-asleep in my bunk along with 25 other men in a Quonset hut, cooled only by two fans at each end of the building. It was our first night at the United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate School. I had not slept well, knowing what the next six weeks might be like. The door opened and a 55-gallon metal trash can came hurdling down the aisle between the bunks, followed by one of the loudest voices I had ever heard from a Marine Corps drill instructor, yelling at us to get “out of the rack” and stand at attention at the end of our bunks. This was my initiation to the military.
The bonds that developed with my fellow Marines, from those first few days of training and into the years of my Marine Corps experience, remain strong to this day. That is why veterans mean so much to me personally. At Denver Rescue Mission, we care deeply for veterans as we try and serve these men and women who have been willing to put their lives on the line to protect our country.
We owe these veterans our very best to try and help them. Some have lost limbs, have gone through mental anguish and trauma that we can never fully understand and have found themselves alone without the support of family and friends.
Phillip’s story in this month’s Changing Lives newsletter is a story of redemption, healing and hope. Our prayer and plan is to keep lifting up these men and women who have faithfully served our country, and by the power of Jesus, to help them transform their lives.
Thanks for empowering us to serve our military veterans and provide them the hope that Jesus brings.
God Bless,
Brad Meuli
Brad Meuli has been President/CEO at the Mission since 2001. Brad joined the Mission after a 17-year career in banking. Previous to his staff position he served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Read his full bio.
This post is part of May’s Changing Lives Newsletter. This month, we’re sharing Phillip’s journey in: A Veteran’s Story of Restoration
