GWFW Huntsville 

Below are some highlights from November 2025 outreach to veterans in Huntsville, AL: 
 

• On November 3, I gave the invocation for the Veterans’ Day program hosted by Drake State Community College at the Von Braun Center. It was an inspiring evening. Around 150 veterans and dependents gathered to learn more about veteran services in Northern Alabama and hear from a Wounded Warrior presenter – Sal Gonzolez. A former student at Drake spoke about his struggle with addiction and homelessness after his years of military service, but how he found hope in Jesus which empowered him to overcome his challenges and be a t place where he is now living an abundant life.

• On November 10, I was invited to serve and support the Veterans Day Program and lunch at the Downtown Rescue Mission. There were a dozen veterans who were recognized. Outback came and served steak and mash potatoes to the veterans. I was able to sit and have lunch with a homeless woman veteran named Sharon. She shared with me with great fondness of her time in the Air Force. She truly missed the comradery and team-oriented environment of her service days. I certainly hope to engage with homeless veterans there at the DRM and am talking with the full-time chaplains there to see that might look like.

• On November 11, I attended the Veterans Day Program at the Tut Fann Veterans Home here in Huntsville. It was an encouraging program where residents were involved in the program as well as local politicians speaking to express support for our veterans. I am in the process of connecting with the Activities Coordinator to see how we can partner to get younger veterans to volunteer there or to even host one of our classes with the veterans who live in the home.

• I sent out a questionnaire to members of all of the veteran organizations affiliated with NAVFOC to inquire about the best time to hold a Veterans Support Group. I am hoping to start these in mid to late January once we get some distance from the holidays.