SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) — For many veterans, they say their service never ends, even after they come home.
Local nonprofit Warriors Haven hosted its Freedom Fest event, bringing the community together to raise awareness and support for veterans facing homelessness and hardships right here in the Lowcountry.
For some veterans, coming home is just the beginning of a different battle, but Warriors Haven is on a mission to make sure no veteran has to face that alone.
“Sometimes things just come at you, and you feel like you’re sinking and you’re drowning. And sometimes it just takes a helping hand to come up and say, ‘Hey, I’ve got you,’ and pull them up, and they can move forward with their life. Sometimes it’s all it takes is just a little helping hand,” Brian Higuera, a veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy, said.
Warriors Haven is working to be that hand. Freedom Fest filled the community with 147 vendors, 14 food trucks, military vehicle displays and live music, all in the name of one mission: making sure veterans are supported.
“We support them in any way possible. So, we have missions right now that are out feeding the homeless. We have a lady who is she’s elderly, she’s a marine, and she had a shower tub combo and fell. So, we put in a zero-entry shower for her. We were rebuilding another lady’s kitchen because she didn’t have a working oven,” Lisa Simpson, president of Warriors Haven, said.
Hundreds of families came out to the event, shopping from veteran-owned businesses, creating a network of those dedicated to serving those who have served our country.
“We have no expiration date. We keep doing everything that we can to support our country, to support other veterans. It’s a big family,” Melissa McDonald, a veteran and owner of Mel’s Crafts, said.
And the event showed that commitment in real time.
“We did have a veteran that we had not known about, that came to the event and found us and said, ‘Hey, I’m a veteran, and I could really use some help.’ And we’re like, ‘Well, sit down, let’s talk about it. What can we do to help you?’” Simpson said.
Veterans say this work is also about honoring those who gave their lives to protect this country, and finding a path forward.
“I’m trying to justify why I came back. Last appointment we were shot at. My gun truck got hit with an IED. I mean, we got blown up, and we all walked away. My friend didn’t. You know, different gun truck, different circumstances. But it’s like I came back. Why? So I’m trying to justify why I’m here. And the way I kind of look at it now, I’m here to help other veterans,” Higuera said.
Local law enforcement agencies were also at the event, connecting with the community and standing in solidarity with those who served.
“Freedom is not free; there’ve been a lot of sacrifices around here. There are a lot of people that are limited with injuries where they would like to have the opportunity to have regular employment, and they can’t. You know, and they’ve sacrificed all that they have for their country. And so, you know, I think we as Americans, we should look at that particular piece and try to sacrifice for them as well,” Samuel Richardson, Dorchester County sheriff, said.
Freedom Fest helps spread awareness to everyone in the community, and Warriors Haven says its support doesn’t stop when the event ends.
“We’ll take calls from veterans 24/7. We’ve taken them in the middle of the night. We’ve gone to pick them up in the middle of the night. We’ll do whatever we can. If it’s in our ability, whether it’s comfortable for us or not, we’re going to do it,” Simpson said.
For more information about Warriors Haven and resources, click here.
Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, then press 1; text 838255; or click here to chat with the Veterans Crisis Line.
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