Daniel Chism

“I had to put myself out there for other Veterans. We were losing a lot of guys to suicide and drinking. About 5 years ago, I went through a dark spot myself and that’s when I had to get involved in the VFW. I had to put myself out there and open up. I was helping those who served and helping myself at the same time. It has been therapeutic for me. The VFW needed officers so I became the chaplain.

I did a 22 mile walk for Veteran Suicide Awareness. That was hard. I carried an American flag and had a friend shadow me in his jeep. I had a Korean War Veteran pull over and wait for me just to shake my hand. I had a lot of people honking at me and shouting good things. I met relatives of Veterans who committed suicide and they were thanking me for bringing awareness. I was not in shape for a 22 mile walk that took me about 7 hours but it was a good way to bring awareness. That walk got me pumped up and now I just want to do more. I have started working for the local farmer’s market and selling donated produce at the VFW booth. All the money goes to the VFW chapter and brings more awareness to what Veterans go through. I was volunteer of the year last year and now I am the volunteer coordinator for the farmer’s market. I started a group I call Operation Creation and learned how to run my own organization and get my own board members. Operation Creation has held dances and fundraisers to raise money and we have a few sponsor farms on board. The money will go to Veterans who would like to be in agriculture arts programs. I am just working on bettering my life and other Veterans lives… it’s a win win.

Usually the end of October I tend to clam up and go to a dark place. That is when my best friend in the Marine Corp died from drinking. He was the same age as me, same birthday, same everything. It was just the darkness of that that took ahold of me. The bad time used to be from the end of October to about Christmas then I would whip myself into shape and come back to reality. I would have to make myself get to the gym, get active and get busy. Every year the darkness gets a little bit shorter, so I know I am doing something right.”

#agriculture #veteran @Operationcreation