CHANGING CADENCE SHARES THEIR STORY

The "Changing Cadence Foundation” Leaders Focus on Sharing the Veteran Story Across Placer County

Changing Cadence Director Jeromy Pierroz, spends the day speaking to the Rotary Club of Lincoln, CA about what it is to be a veteran. He shares his story to embody the lost patriotic spirit America once had.During the pivitol moment for the lincoln veteran community and their Rotary Club, both Mr. Pierroz and the Lincoln Rotary Club, sign a children's book that will be donated to the library. Last week, Jeromy visited the Bayside Church Adventure Campus in Roseville CA, to share more about the Changing Cadence Foundation, their mission, and the ways our community can help drive their efforts and contribute to positive change. These recent moments for the foundation mark the beginning of a new chapter for this county and eventually, nationally. To visit and donate to Changing Cadence, simply visit changingcadence.com and become a subscriber.

America: Remembering 9-11

It’s 10 minutes past my expected arrival time, anxious as I approach the door to history class with a one arm slinged Jansport backpack. The doorknob cold to the touch from the time passing of 25 students turning it to get into class, and here I am late, just thinking about the reaction of my teacher and football coach due to poor time management per usual. My right-hand pushes forward the once twisted knob to enter the room. I gaze with focus across the room to evaluate the faces of judgement as I take my first step into the quiet space. Faces forward from the rear to the front, scanning the room within the limits of the swinging door. I make my way in to see nothing but turned heads to the upper lefthand corner mounted television of the room wall in silence, dead silence.

            All that I can hear now is the constant reporting of our towers in New York, which have been struck by an airplane. The hesitation and frustration in the reporter’s voice echoed the severity within my thoughts, coming to an understanding that this is not a normal day in school. As large as the news was, the slender my reaction, I was stunned. The teacher who always has a firm expression on his face, has fallen with disappointment such as the Roman Empire, defeated with what has just happened. What once was a solid start to the year, has turned into a first jot of a pen, to write the next American history book. “Oh my god, a second plane has crashed into the 2nd tower” the reporter said in disbelief. The day has grown even more grim, suggesting that this was not a general misfunctioning of the pilot or aircraft mechanics, this was a terroristic act. From there, I felt the need to do something, but what? In 2003, the United States invades Iraq form the South. I watch my buddies one after one, join the Army, sharing their photos of the life in the desert, finding the enemy, and neutralizing them as we pushed North. This was it; this was my calling. On October 2006, I join the US Army as a Cannon Crewman, and that’s when my life really started. Because of our veterans, I made it home safe from both deployments, have a career with Leaf Home managing our military engagement, have a family, pray in my Bayside Church, and watch my American flag wave from my mounted wall of my house. I dedicate my post 911 and post-service to honor our heroes. You too can support them though organization such as Changing Cadence, Victory Bridge Foundation, and other organization.

Let us remember those who both served in war, and those who served as police officers and fire fighters. A demographic once celebrated for their heroic actions, has since wilted to the forgotten civilization of our nation’s development, one without the core memory of how we got here. So, let’s honor those who served, lost their lives, and continue to celebrate the #bravery and selfless courage that those today, won’t have to embark. Those veterans who joined the service from 2021-2023, more than likely have or is, retiring this year. The chapter of the Nation’s hardest working veterans form the wars on Afghanistan and Iraq, are no longer wearing that uniform. As we continue to wake up to our children, our spouse, and fulfill our desires of becoming a homeowner or business owner, remember them. As we act in protest or advocate for change in policy, remember them. When you cheer on your favorite football team (Go San Francisco 49ers), remember them. And when you go to the voting stand, remember them. Remember them all, first responder and veteran, because without them, we as a country, can’t continue forward in safety. It is because of them, we can do all the things described above, and continue to grow as a nation while we have these brave men and women protecting us from the dangerous lurking in salience, things hardly anyone notices. God Bless America!

Mental Health: A Battle Worth Fighting

“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” 

— Christopher Robin

What is mental health? We speak of symptoms and generate awareness every year for a month, but how often do we share our experiences and give our own view of it? Despite the medical definition, we can paint a vivid picture through actual experiences. The catastrophic events and crippling resilience can exist in all seasons of one’s life. We may experience unseen or welcoming mental stress, anxiety, depression, #PTSD, and other symptoms that hinder our every functionality of life. I have seen this through #relationships of all kinds, childhood development, loss, and other situations such as social neglect and swift altering life changing events. 

I spoke with President and Founder of Victory Bridge Foundation, Katie Katz, and she explained to me that sharing stories about mental health and being open, can not only help those who are struggling, but serve as a sigh of relief for the one sharing.The awareness can be optimal the more we express our encounters with mental health. 

Victory Bridge Foundation (VBF) serves #veterans, first responders, & their families by raising awareness, & providing resources for #suicide prevention, mental health Initiatives, substance abuse #rehabilitation solutions, and PTSD. VBF believes in the power of #community and collaboration and  is dedicated to building the bridge to continued wellness by connecting the community through events, meet-ups, virtual and in-person peer discussion groups, courses, webinars, short videos, and guest speakers from experts in various fields. 

I have a story of my own, one which may resonate with many across the board. I, like many #combat veterans, had a relationship with someone that seemed to be going decently well. That is until I was called for my second tour to #Iraq, as an Artillery Sergeant, to do the usual non-artillery missions such as clearing small towns of possible enemies and walking miles and miles day in and out, looking for improvised explosive devices. Of course, like all men and women deployed, I had to leave everything behind, especially my girlfriend who obtained a special power of attorney to handle any legal issues that may arise while I was across the world. All was going well until I received the news.  

I found out that my relationship was in jeopardy, and compiled of issues of immense inertia to fold, regardless of my next move. The physics of the situation would forever change my life. She was pregnant- 2 months in fact. I hadn’t been home in 6 months, so we can identify that this was an external activity of conception with another man. Then, the second bit of news dropped in my left ear from a fellow sergeant, “By the way, it’s one of our soldiers who went home early.” That’s where the anger and distrust began, but not the cherry on top, not just yet. I have seen and heard of these horror stories from the US Army, the United States Marine Corps, and other branches of the United States Department of Defenseoften, but never thought I would become a statistic.

I can manage bad news and move on, it was what came next that I was not prepared for. Soldiers have been forewarned of these types of stories and reminded of them every year from senior leadership. Even in basic training, the Drill Sergeant will constantly say, “Jodie got your girl now” which is a common reference to the man who is taking your spot when you’re away. I was ready to come home and just get back to normal as a single man, moving on with my life. After a very long flight back, I was more than excited to kiss the ground, get in my car she was dropping off, maybe get an undeserving hug because it still sounded good, and get into my own bed. We land, fire trucks along both sides of our trolling plane, spraying water from the hoses crossing over the top of us out of celebration as we make our way down the tarmac. All so wonderful, to be celebrated coming home and the patriotism that displays itself with the sound of cheering to be heard across the airfield. We start walking through the airport with the same famous Fort Hood lady who hugs every soldier on their way to the “welcome home” field outside. I did exactly what I envisioned I would do, kiss the great American soil.

I looked around and everyone was hugging their loved ones, kissing their kids. They all seemed so happy. I noticed that I may have been the only person with nobody personally to welcome me back. The ex wasn't there with my car, I had no way home, and I felt very little. As I went to retrieve my vehicle, it was towed and the apartment clerk notified me that the “owner” came with a guy, cleared it out, and left the property for good, leaving me with the bill to bail out my own vehicle. That day I confronted her, she used my power of attorney to drain my bank account. A few months later, I got a shared apartment with a fellow sergeant, fully furnished it, and went off to the US Army Recruiting and Retention College for six weeks. I came back to someone else answering my door as a new tenant. To my surprise, my roommate was kicked out of the Military and took off with everything I owned while I was gone. This was my welcome home post-deployment adventure for the last 4-6 months.

As I tirelessly ran for miles every night to alleviate the #pain, my #loneliness and #depression grew more profound. Each passing day seemed to introduce an additional layer of hardship, pushing me further into a pit of despair. By the sixth week of continuous running, I found myself in that very pit during my final nighttime run. With no rope to aid my ascent, I stopped, dropping to my knees, head bowed, sweat clouding my vision.

One swipe of the face with the back of my hand to clear my vision, I look forward and see a light I will never forget, illuminating the words of a sign from a church that will forever change the course of my life. The sign read “You never know how strong you are, until being strong is all you have.” From there, I got myself together, became more independent than ever. Since then, I have finished 7 more years of service, found my heart in Jesus, got married to a wonderful woman, and had 4 children. I am now Head of Military Diversity and Veteran Programs for my organization Leaf Home, and was fortunate to receive US Congress recognition and recognized as the 2023 Veteran Champion of the Year in Corporate America though G.I. Jobs . I have continued the fight through being a good husband, father, and by making Bayside Church my other home. Find your weapon!

What is the message within this long story? It is common for veterans and anyone who is not one, to experience trauma in many forms. Sometimes blindly, this serves as an opportunity to redirect our path, whether that is an intervening concerned friend, religion, identify rejuvenation, or a simple sign of wise words illuminated in the night. 

If you are noticing someone struggling, look down on them, not to belittle them, but to extend a hand. If you aren’t aware of issues, ask your friends how things are going. Sometimes a large portion of #mental battles are masked by a smile so those won’t judge them. Penetrate that with a simple, “How are you lately?” Next, be aware that sharing our stories can ultimately be an illuminated sign in someone else’s darkness. Expressing our thoughts and feelings regardless if you’re a tough veteran or not, is a sign of inner strength, and will help engender #relief. 

I am calling all veterans and first responders to reach out and share their stories with me. I want to know about what you battled and how you either overcame it, or maintained the mitigation. Let’s share your story together. You can do so by either sending a message to Nick Busse on LinkedIn, share with VBF by submitting HERE, or email me at Nbusse@leafhome.com

This article may be a great segway to start looking into ways to help with the fight of mental health within our veteran and first responder community. I encourage all to follow the Victory Bridge Foundation and serve as an ambassador. They are an organization that unites our heroes while being the connector of our patriotic community and resources. You can even donate to contribute to their cause and become a member. Too make a donation to VBF, CLICK HERE!

To find out more about this impressive organization, visit the Victory Bridge Foundation Home Page.

“The most egregious enemy I have come to encounter, was self perception. The greatest weapon I have encountered to use, was the power of religious faith.” 

— Nick Busse