Navy Veteran Excited to Reunite Family in Transitional Home in Oklahoma
After high school, Ethan Graham wanted a path of his own. He attended junior college and worked for his father installing solar systems, but he aspired to a career in law enforcement. He knew the military could help him build a strong foundation.
In late 2019, he joined the Navy to become a military police officer. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed boot camp until August 2020, and he shipped out to his first duty station — Bahrain — in March 2021.
The experience proved challenging. In the first months there, Ethan’s unit intervened in one suicide attempt and dealt with three scenes in which Marines took their own lives.
In the harsh desert climate and 8,000 miles from home, Ethan missed family and friends — especially his girlfriend, Cheyenne. The two started dating in 2019 before he enlisted. They got engaged during his second visit home to Sacramento, California, on leave from Bahrain.
They married in September 2022. Cheyenne immediately became immersed in military life when they made a cross-country PCS move to Virginia and Ethan’s new duty station at Newport News Naval Shipyard, where he was assigned to the USS John C. Stennis.
Soon after arriving in Virginia, Cheyenne and Ethan learned they were expecting their daughter, Alana, who is now an inquisitive 2-year-old girl.
While working in the shipyard and at Naval Station Norfolk, Ethan experienced pain in his shoulder. He underwent months of treatment and testing. He grew frustrated as the pain lingered and he had no firm diagnosis.
After four years of service, Ethan made the difficult decision to accept a medical separation and an honorable discharge in October 2024.
He and Cheyenne made another difficult choice as they began their transition to civilian life. He stayed in Virginia to attend a private school for K-9 handlers, and Cheyenne and Alana returned to Sacramento to live with his parents.
“I wanted to be around family because we knew he was going to be busy with school,” she said. “We also knew it would be a year or two before we had proof of income needed to get a place of our own.”
Ethan completed school and recently began working with fellow veterans at Oklahoma K-9 Interdiction, an Oklahoma City company that trains K-9s to detect explosives and narcotics. The company also trains K-9 handlers.
“Having our own space where we can raise our daughter and make memories has been a huge goal to us, and this opportunity opens up a whole new set of doors for our family.” – Cheyenne Graham, wife of Navy veteran
They are separated by 1,300 miles as Ethan becomes established in his new career, and they are excited to again have their family under one roof thanks to Operation Homefront’s Transitional Homes for Veterans (THV) program.
“The transition back into the civilian world is a difficult path for veterans and sometimes their families,” Cheyenne said. “In our situation, it has taken a lot of surrendering our time together as a family and missing out on really important moments to hopefully be able to build the life we picture for our family.”
The Graham family is grateful to be selected for a THV home in Oklahoma City. Their home is one of the newest among 42 houses in the program, and it is one of six made possible through the generosity of Pillsbury.
The THV program is geared to veterans who served honorably and are within three years of separating. The program places families in homes in the communities where they plan to establish post-military roots. Families live rent-free for two to three years and receive financial education and support services. The structure allows the opportunity and tools for building savings, reducing debt, and increasing credit scores. Since 2018, more than 40 families have completed the THV program, representing savings of more than $2 million in monthly housing costs.
Ethan and Cheyenne are grateful for the fresh start. In addition to being together as a family with their two dogs and two cats, they are eager to work toward financial stability. Cheyenne hopes to resume work on her degree and pursue a career in the mental health field.
“This program offers a unique experience for us specifically to be back together as a family and learn more about our finances,” Ethan said.
Cheyenne added, “This opportunity means the world to our family. Having our own space where we can raise our daughter and make memories has been a huge goal to us, and this opportunity opens up a whole new set of doors for our family.”
They appreciate the donors who make Operation Homefront’s housing programs possible.
“They are helping the veterans back up after their time of service and bringing families back together to build their lives,” Ethan said.
