James Sutherland

Submitted 8 years ago

To whom it may concern,

I'm James & a Disabled Veteran from the Afghanistan War, OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom.)
I am married & a father of two boys, ages 7 & 3.
Now that I have introduced myself, I'll tell my story.
I served in the Marine Corps & received my honorable discharge, after my four years of service.
I had been out of the Marine Corps six days, before the attacks on 9-11. After the attacks on our Country, on that horrific day, I decided it was time for me to defend our Country again, but this time in the War.
I signed back up, but this time around I served in the Army. A year later, I was on the ground & fighting in the War, where I served a little over a year straight.
My job was, clearing roads of IED's & land mines. While we came under attack numerous times & fighting the enemy, it was the guys I lost & the IED we hit in the up armored vehicle, that really took a toll on me & forever changed my life. It changed my life in the worst ways, suffering with all the trauma that comes with it. Though I didn't suffer with loss of limbs, I do suffer with severe PTSD & a lot of discomfort from the pain in mind, body & soul. I do have a service dog that helps me in dealing with PTSD, traumatic nightmares & if I go out in the public.
My wife has been my caregiver & therefore doesn't work, because of having to be here for me.
I'm constantly going to the VA for my PTSD & seen every week for, physical therapy.
With the the toll I took from the war, it has also took a toll on the homefront & financially.
It got to the point, where my house almost went into foreclosure & I had to turn to my State, to help me from loosing it.
Being that the home at, 113 Maple St. Cowpens, SC 29330, is a older home & we were constantly putting money in to, it caused a huge strain on us financially & on our marriage. Not to mention, suffering with severe PTSD, this didn't make things easier.
So, we came to the decision of putting the house on the market for sale. We now have buyers on it & are within a few weeks, before they close in it. Since we now have a buyer, my in-laws are helping us out on our rental. Though they didn't give a timeline, we don't want to burn bridges nor feel like we're using them. So, now we will rent until we can be proud home owners again & hopefully with your help & from other companies, we can.
This is something I hate to put my wife & kids through, because they simply deserve the best & not have to do without because of my injuries. They have dealt with enough because of me & from all angles.
With all this said, I have taken it on my own to find corporations that would be proud sponsors, in helping with the funding for a new home for my family.
Sure, there's several organizations that help Veterans & their families in a home, but not one will help us in our dream home.
Therefore, I'm reaching out to find that help.
We are hoping to find the funding for a eco friendly home, net-zero energy, or, LEED certified. Why this? Because in the end, it will save us the money going out monthly on outrageous utility bills, but also giving back to the environment & having a workshop, would allow me to make large/small wood/metal crafts for a extra income.
As you may, or, may not know, being a Disabled Vet. is demeaning in several ways & financially. While we could have been bringing in a better salary, we instead bring in a demeaning paycheck from the VA, while those in Washington lookout for themselves, with pay raises & yearly bonuses.
I hate to stoop to this level in asking for help with funding, but in the end, it is myself who has to look out for the best of my family, their future & with a home of their own & not ashamed of.

Contacted companies: Hershey's, Coca-Cola, Gillette/ P&G, Pepsi, Nestle, Mars, Baleigh Industrial & more.
Not to smooth up to anyone, but I'm reaching out to those companies I truly like & that we do our business with.
In reaching out to these other companies, I will let you all know, that I can provide all the proof necessary, to show I'm legit & not a scam artist. I can also provide proof of my records, DD-214 & award letter as a Disabled Veteran. Also, from my Veterans Representative & their contact info. as well.
In the funding from those involved, I will sign a written consent, to use my story for advertising.
If you want to find your own partners in helping with the funding, feel free to do so & I will let the other companies know.



Thanks for your time & consideration,

James & Christina Sutherland
(864) 300-9787

235 Twisting Rd
Lexington, SC 29072