Sitrep Oct 2024 Vol 17

Sitrep

October 2024 Vol. 17

On a recent flight, I was reminded that I had many choices in airlines and that my airline appreciated that I had chosen them as my carrier. This announcement got me thinking about the many options available when a donor begins investigating how best to support a mission they feel passionate about. A quick Google search told me that there are over 45,000 US non-governmental organizations (NGO) that support veterans and their families. That is a lot of options. With so many options, a donor has to wonder why they should support a specific charity. Why support the Navy Safe Harbor Foundation (NSHF)? What makes us stand out?

Navy Safe Harbor Foundation is the first and only NGO to have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Navy. This agreement establishes both parties individual and collaborative efforts to support the wounded, ill, and injured Navy and Coast Guard Sailors and their families enrolled in the Navy Wounded Warrior (NWW) program. The results of this agreement streamlines the burden on sailors and their families when a financial need cannot be met by the sailor and government programs have been exhausted. NSHF is the NGO the NWW calls for support of that need. The comprehensive recovery plan developed between the NWW staff and the sailor establishes a complete picture of resources and needs so that when a need is presented, it can be submitted in a timely and efficient manner. It is NSHF’s goal to fill that request within 24 hours of receiving it. This is only achievable because of the comprehensive plan put in place by NWW.

Reducing the timeline between identifying a need and filling a need is an admirable goal, but it can only be successful if NSHF is financially sound and has available resources. How does NSHF stay sound? Each year, we host or participate in several fundraising events. In 2023, NSHF raised 47 percent of its income through these events. Golf tournaments, fashion shows and our annual Veterans Day Luncheon were all successful functions. Corporate, Business, and individual donations round out the remaining revenue that sustains us and allows us to fulfill our mission. Forty-six percent of NSHF’s income is made available through generous donors passionate about supporting Navy and Coast Guard sailors and their families.

We know that you, our generous donors, have many options when it comes to providing that support, and we are grateful that you continue to choose Navy Safe Harbor Foundation as your support avenue.

Join us for our annual Veterans Day Luncheon. We will honor our veterans and the Navy Wounded Warrior of the Year. Register here and share an very uplifting day with us.

Thoughts From Our Board

Lisa Kuruvilla, Director

As a board member of the Navy Safe Harbor Foundation (NSHF), I am deeply committed to our mission of supporting seriously wounded, ill, and injured Navy and Coast Guard Sailors and their families. This dedication stems not only from a profound respect for our service members but also from the tangible impacts I’ve witnessed through our work.

Every day, Sailors and their families face unforeseen challenges due to injuries or illnesses incurred in the line of duty. The path to recovery is often long and fraught with difficulties that extend beyond physical ailments—financial burdens, emotional turmoil, and logistical hurdles can be overwhelming.

That’s where the NSHF steps in, providing critical non-medical support that complements the medical care these heroes receive.

The NSHF’s mission is crucial because it fills the gaps left by traditional medical care. We offer financial assistance to cover unexpected expenses, support for family members managing new caretaking responsibilities, and resources tailored to the unique needs of those recovering from serious psychological conditions like severe PTSD or traumatic brain injuries. Our support is a testament to our commitment that no Sailor or Coast Guard member faces these challenges alone.

I dedicate my time to the NSHF because I believe in giving back to those who have sacrificed so much for our country. Being part of this organization allows me to directly contribute to the well-being of our service members and their families, ensuring they receive the support and honor they deserve. It’s a privilege to help build their “Safe Harbor” — a refuge where they can find the strength and assistance needed to navigate the most challenging times of their lives.

The impact of the NSHF is profound and far-reaching. I have seen firsthand how our support has changed lives. From the Sailor who was able to focus on rehabilitation without the stress of financial insecurity, to the family that found stability in a time of acute crisis by being able to be at the bedside of loved ones in distant hospitals, our efforts make a real difference. These stories of resilience and recovery are what fuel my commitment and inspire our donors and volunteers to continue their support.

We are driven by the belief that solidarity and care can profoundly impact recovery and quality of life. For anyone looking to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of our service members, supporting the NSHF represents a powerful opportunity to provide more than just financial aid—it’s a chance to uplift spirits, foster resilience, and truly honor the service and sacrifices of our Navy and Coast Guard Sailors and their families. Let’s continue to stand with them in their time of need.

NSHF is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that relies on donations to carry out our mission. Please consider helping us as we aim to ensure that every service member is given an opportunity for full recovery after a serious injury or illness.

An Unexpected Path

Heidi Weller

Mercedes Rangel’s story is one she never saw coming, and she is happy to say it is in her rearview mirror. Today, she is living her dream and meets every day with positivity and enthusiasm. But she admits it was a hard-won dream and one she has mixed emotions about.

From childhood, she was exposed to computers when her mother brought them home and let Mercedes watch her work. She was immediately captivated and, from that point forward, knew her future would include working with computers. Joining the Navy to help pay for her college education and relieve a financial burden from her family, she successfully passed the testing that allowed her to train

as an Information Specialist Technician. Stationed on the USS Carl Vinson, homeported in San Diego, her hometown, she set up communications for ship-to-shore, ship-to-ship, and ship-to-aircraft systems. She also worked on low to high internal and external frequency equipment and antennas and was engaged in responding to equipment casualties. She loved the sense of purpose her work gave her.

After receiving new orders and moving to Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA), her mother, who she is very close with, was diagnosed and treated for colon cancer. During a visit to help her mother post-surgery, they discussed the fact that colon cancer was hereditary and reviewed the symptoms to watch for. Shortly after her mother’s treatment and successful recovery, Mercedes began experiencing abdominal pain that impacted her daily activity. After a week without relief and recalling the conversation with her mother, she went to the emergency room at JBSA-Lackland to see if she could get some help. A referral to the GI clinic at Brooke Army Medical Center led to a diagnosis of non-Hodgkins Burkett’s Lymphoma and a long and difficult treatment plan. Alone, confused, and afraid, she immediately called her parents.

Through six months of intensive chemotherapy and treatment, Mercedes found support and encouragement from her parents, who were always with her. Her mother was her rock from the first day; fortunate to work remotely, she flew in as soon as Mercedes called. Each day brought new and unexpected challenges, but Mercedes felt that with the support of her family and friends, she would be able to withstand the challenges. Faced with a long recovery and many unknowns, Patty, Mercedes’ mother, retired after a successful career for the US Government to focus on Mercedes and her recovery.

In January 2020, Mercedes received the all-clear from her doctors and expected to return to her “normal.” But when the Navy determined that her medical issues precluded her from returning to active duty, her “normal” was immediately challenged. Having completed a degree in sociology before her diagnosis, she got a job at the University of Texas at San Antonio and moved out on her own when her parents relocated to the Southwest. Mercedes found that her definition of normal suffered without her family and decided to make another significant change. She quit her job, packed her things, and joined them in the Southwest. Once settled, she enrolled in the Information Technology program with an emphasis on Cybersecurity at Grand Canyon University.

Patty Rangel felt fortunate to be in a situation where she could be with Mercedes during her treatment and provide her with the support and care she needed while recovering. However, after long months of stress and uncertainty, Patty felt a bit depleted and knew she needed some support herself. She joined NSHF’s virtual Caring for the Caregiver program in January 2021 and then participated in the first in-person event in November 2022. She found strength in time spent with other caregivers and in some well-earned downtime. Upon returning home Patty had renewed vigor in her role as caregiver.

Graduating in April 2024 Summa Cum Laude and going to work for the State of Arizona, Mercedes now plans to begin a master’s program in Cybersecurity in August. Mercedes knows that she would not have been able to redefine her normal without her family and friends who supported her throughout her journey. She is so grateful for the assistance her family received from the Navy Safe Harbor Foundation and other NGOs during her recovery.