Understanding and Funding for New Furnace ‘Priceless’ for Veteran
Aaron Thompson followed his big sister’s footsteps when he joined the Marines in 2005 at the height of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. His brother also was enlisted.
Aaron was 27 and worked in Michigan’s auto industry after college but was floundering after the industry collapsed in the early 2000s.
“My sister had been in the Marine Corps around 15 years, and I saw everything she had done and the success she had in life,” Aaron said.
Aaron tested high in technical fields and became an aviation technician once enlisted. He did not deploy even though he was “chasing it,” he said.
After 12 years, the Marines downsized those needed in his job. His wife and parents were having health issues, and he wanted to spend more time with family, so he decided to honorably discharge. However, the military was providing stability and health insurance. After talking with a friend, Aaron decided to continue his service and join the Army National Guard.
“When someone makes sure you do not feel like you are less for asking, it is priceless. Absolutely priceless.” – Aaron Thompson, Marine and Army National Guard
While in training at recruiting school, Aaron injured his back and shoulder in an accident. Pain held him back, but he continued. He managed for four more years before he could no longer work. He medically retired as a staff sergeant in 2021 after three back surgeries, a neck surgery and shoulder surgery. He is on full disability. He and his wife had an amicable divorce and now co-parent their teenage daughter.
Aaron bought a house in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and focused on getting healthy. When the home’s furnace stopped working, Aaron reached out to Operation Homefront’s Critical Financial Assistance Program®. He found the program through an online search in 2021 when he was experiencing financial difficulties after his medical retirement. He was worried about reaching out again, but the amount needed to fix the furnace was beyond what he had in savings.
A generous donation from The Home Depot Foundation enabled Aaron to fund the $7,950 needed to replace his home’s furnace. Aaron said one of the things he most appreciates about the Critical Financial Assistance Program® is the attitude of the social workers at Operation Homefront.
“It’s so hard to ask for help,” he said. “When someone makes sure you do not feel like you are less for asking, it is priceless. Absolutely priceless. I want donors to know that it does not go unnoticed. And they are appreciated.”
Since 2011, Operation Homefront has provided more than $41 million through its Critical Financial Assistance program to help military families stay strong, stable, and secure.
