The camaraderie of the US military is one like no other. It provides a cohesiveness amongst all members, which enables the unit to operate effectively as a collective entity. For veterans who served in the decade after the September 11, 2001 attacks, almost 50 percent of veterans have indicated that the process to adjusting back into civilian life was difficult. While there are numerous organizations already established to serve the veteran community, it is noticed that many veterans either accept these offers of service but remain to themselves, therefore not utilizing the service’s full potential, or ultimately forgo the opportunities all together. This is mostly due to mental and physical health declines after returning home from their deployment.
Mental and physical health will always coincide with one another. People with serious mental health conditions are at high risk of experiencing chronic physical health conditions. Vice versa, people with chronic physical conditions are at risk of developing poor mental health. The camaraderie of the US military enables a motivating factor to maintain a soldier’s physical and mental well-being. It is a brotherhood, and a bond formed through deployment, to motivate one another to keep pushing forward, and to lean on one another during the hard times. Like the military, first responders also often internalize their struggles. They often can find comfort with fellow first responders.

Matias Ferreira is a combat wounded veteran of the United States Marine Corps. After being deployed to Afghanistan, he stepped on an IED and lost both legs below the knee in January of 2011.
Ever since medically retiring from the Marine Corps, Matias has worked with numerous organizations to help veterans. Since his retirement from the Marine Corps, Matias is now a full time active duty Police Officer in Suffolk County NY.
Jonathan Appel is Matias’ cousin and has always been involved in veteran activities since Matias’ injury. After graduating from the University of Miami with his MBA, Jonathan always envisioned a way to further help Matias with his passion to reach out to veterans and first responders in need. As a Director of Business for a non profit, Jonathan sought to help create the vision of a new non for profit to help both veterans and first responders.

Matias Ferreira is a combat wounded veteran of the United States Marine Corps. After being deployed to Afghanistan, he stepped on an IED and lost both legs below the knee in January of 2011.
Ever since medically retiring from the Marine Corps, Matias has worked with numerous organizations to help veterans. Since his retirement from the Marine Corps, Matias is now a full time active duty Police Officer in Suffolk County NY.

Jonathan Appel is Matias’ cousin and has always been involved in veteran activities since Matias’ injury. After graduating from the University of Miami with his MBA, Jonathan always envisioned a way to further help Matias with his passion to reach out to veterans and first responders in need. As a Director of Business for a non profit, Jonathan sought to help create the vision of a new non for profit to help both veterans and first responders.