Soldier On: From homelessness to home ownership for military veterans

Between 50 and 100 Monmouth County homeless military veterans will have homes, security and futures to look forward to thanks to the tenacity of Freeholder Lillian Burry, Congressman Chris Smith and Soldier On, a non-profit organization committed to ending veteran homelessness.

Since 1994, Soldier On has been providing homeless veterans with transitional housing and supportive services. In 2010, Soldier On opened the first Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community, a permanent housing cooperative that provides formerly homeless veterans with safe, sustainable, affordable housing – transitioning them from homelessness to home ownership. This housing model will be replicated nationally as Soldier On continues to change the end of the story for homeless veterans throughout the country.

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Gold Star Mothers’ Day

I’m embarrassed that I did not know that the last Sunday in September is Gold Star Mothers’ Day, a day for people to recognize and honor those who have lost a son or daughter while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Thanks to our friend Edith T. Nowles who sent in the following remembrance of her parents, Zelma deGuerin Seaton & Lester Mason Thorne, who lost their son Cpl. Horace Marvin “Bud” Thorne in the WWII Battle of the Bulge:

“Gold Star” Mother & Father …. Zelma deGuerin Seaton & Lester Mason Thorne, New Monmouth, N. J..  Year after year, their heartache remains very much alive … compounded by childhood memories of family … the tremendously, painful loss is forever.  Vividly recall my mother’s personal escort, Mrs. Mildred Minor of Belford, N.J, always in appropriate, official VFW 2179 Auxiliary uniform, who transported and proudly escorted my mother, to and fro, for many years.  Seventy years since he was killed, my brother “Bud” still remains 26 years old … remembered – honored … dearly beloved … and deeply missed.  (Cpl. Horace Marvin (Bud) Thorne, U. S. Army, KIA 12/21/44, WWII Battle of the Bulge, Grufflingen, Belgium.  He never knew that he was a Recipient of The Congressional Medal of Honor).  

God Bless all the mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters and spouses who have lost a loved one who was defending our freedom.

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Now that you’re back…

….from your holiday weekend, be sure to check out the video biography of Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Cpl Bud Thorne.

The video, An American Hero, was first produced for the 50th anniversary of the Thorne Middle School in Middletown.  It was shown again last Thursday as part of the Battle of the Bulge Survivors Reunion and Monument Rededication which took place at the school.

For me, and I hope the many others who have never experienced war first hand nor lost a loved one to battle, viewing the video deepened my gratitude for all veterans as well as for the men and women who are currently serving in the military.

Thank you to Edith Nowels, Thorne’s sister, for providing the video for MMM readers.

Nowels is a hero too.  

She has done a tremendous job reuniting WWII vets and making sure we have an opportunity to express our gratitude before they pass.  But Edith never stops to take a breath, even after such a successful event like the reunion on Thursday.  When I reached her over the weekend while I was writing the story on the reunion, Edith was on the road delivering Thank You cards to veterans in nursing homes and at VFW posts.

You can view An American Hero by clicking here.

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