Jeremy Wilczek

Keeping a Happy Home

When Retired Army veteran, Jeremy Wilczek, was trying to keep his family together after his injuries in Iraq, the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes stepped in to give his family a much- needed vacation
Staff Sergeant Jeremy Wilczek, U.S. Army (Ret.) returned from Iraq after being shot through his right ankle while on guard duty in March of 2006. Wilczek returned to his wife, Christina, and three sons, Jeremiah, 8, Isaiah, 4, and Elijah, 3. Like many families with similar circumstances, the Wilczeks were struggling financially. Christina was forced to quit her job for over a year to take care of him and expenses were piling up. When the Wilczek’s bravely confided in members of their church, a Chaplin recommended they contact the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes (CSAH).

Healing Together
The Wilczek family was not prepared for the difficult situation ahead of them. They struggled to make ends meet, and to cope with his permanent injuries, both physical and mental.  “My children have seen me at my absolute worst,” he lamented. “Kids should never have to go through the things they have.” However, once they found CSAH, they knew that they would make it through and be able to rebuild their family because of the emotional and financial support from the organization. “We took comfort in knowing that there were groups like the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes out there to help and care,” Wilczek said.

Rebuilding a Life
Shortly after applying to CSAH for assistance, the Wilczeks received a call saying that they were “going to Disney World” to attend the “Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute,” one of more than 150 wounded troops, their families and caregivers to be invited to attend the all-expense paid trip a trip with one source of information regarding benefits, services, counseling, insurance, healthcare, financial support, career counseling and employment opportunities. More importantly, it gives families the chance to reconnect.

The family was overcome with excitement about this much-needed family vacation. “At the time, our family was truly falling apart,” Wilczek recalls. “The trip was absolutely amazing. We were instantly reconnected when we saw that so many other families were going through what we were.”

Following the Road to Recovery conference that December the Wilczek family received a $500 gift card that they used to help with the added financial burdens of the holidays. “We were able to give our children a better Christmas with that money,” recollects Wilczek. “We could give them presents and see a smile on their face.” The February following the family’s trip to Disney World, Wilczek was discharged from the Army but money from the VA had not started to come in yet. To help them make it through this difficult time, CSAH stepped in to pay some bills.

“The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes paid our mortgage and car payments to keep us afloat,” he said. “I truly don’t know where we’d be without them. They’ve gone above and beyond any of our expectations. They are the absolute truest, most genuine, caring organization out there. Their only motive is to help wounded soldiers.”

The Wilczek family now lives in Dacula, GA where they still struggle to regain their old life but “we remain comforted by wonderful organizations like the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes,” he said.

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