From Stressed to Stable: Program Opens Door to a Dream for Veteran’s Family
In 2022, Cecil Boyland Jr.’s life changed abruptly from dream assignment with the Navy to medical retirement. He and his wife faced uncertainty and possible homelessness for their family of six as they navigated their way back to civilian life after 12 years of military service.
The family was days from moving to Japan when Cecil became ill. The stress weighed on them all and was especially detrimental to Cecil, who was medically retired after experiencing a cardiac emergency.
Now, the veteran and his wife, Krystine, are homeowners in Florida. Their six-bedroom house allows their children – daughters ages 12 and 11 and 4-year-old twins, a boy and a girl – space for themselves
“Without Operation Homefront, we would probably still be struggling.” – Cecil Boyland Jr., Navy veteran
The Boylands credit Operation Homefront’s Transitional Homes for Veterans (THV) program for helping them establish a stable foundation.
Families in the program live rent-free for two to three years while working with a financial counselor to reduce debt and build savings. The time allows them to explore civilian career paths and become established in a new community and, ultimately, become homeowners.
The Boyland family successfully completed the program in less than two years. During that time, Cecil earned an associate’s degree in cybersecurity and is working toward a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
They paid off debt and learned budgeting practices to avoid credit card debt. They now plan for recurring expenses such as school supplies at the beginning of each year, and they continue to pause and consider the budget before making purchases more than $300.
When the Boylands began house hunting, they were firm about staying in Plant City, Florida. Krystine learned about their new neighborhood — near their THV home — through moms at her children’s school, and they purchased the first house they looked at.
The forever home is just one of the benefits the family has realized from the THV program and civilian life.
Family time has become a priority. They plan more family outings and even hosted a backyard birthday party for Cecil — a first for him. His mom, grandmother, and siblings drove in to surprise him, and they enjoyed barbecuing and playing games.
“Being in the military, I never got to experience that,” he said, adding they’re also looking forward to hosting Christmas or New Year’s in their home.
Krystine’s mother and brother visit often from their home on Saipan, a U.S. commonwealth in the Western Pacific.
They especially appreciate how the children are flourishing. The older girls have established friend groups, and they are thriving in school.
Cecil and Krystine expressed gratitude for the donors who made the opportunity possible.
“The THV program has been life changing. Without Operation Homefront, we would probably still be struggling,” Cecil said. “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
