Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Cranston.
Defenders of Freedom (DOF) was birthed from the Welcome Home a Hero program at the Dallas Fort Worth Airport in September of 2004. This program supported the Army’s Rest and Recuperation program for weary Soldiers to come home for 2 weeks during their yearlong tour. Donna Cranston attended her first greeting in June of 2004, and it changed her life. Her son was in Iraq at that time. As she met more and more Soldiers coming through the airport and learned many were not receiving care packages, she decided to support them. As the numbers grew she knew she needed some help sustaining it and found that many people wanted to help, they simply didn’t know how. She formed Defenders of Freedom as an avenue to connect the community to the Troops.
As the wars have prolonged, the focus of Defenders of Freedom has turned to helping Post 9/11 Veterans at home. DOF offers emergency financial assistance to wounded and transitioning Veterans, resume preparation, and employment searches. Additionally, they have Veteran initiated programs for peer mentoring. They continue to send care packages upon request from deployed Troops.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In the beginning, it was quite easy sending care packages. I was meeting Troops at the airport everyday so I could talk to them and see what their conditions overseas were, and send them exactly what they needed. However, as we moved into helping the wounded Veterans it became a learning curve that still keeps me trying to find effective treatments for the ones who struggle with the unseen injuries of war, which are the majority that we serve. We realized early on that the unseen injuries can be very debilitating because the Veteran “looks” ok. In truth, many of those Veterans need the most dedicated of care.
When we first get referrals, we do an intake interview and it is that interview that helped me realize we really needed to help them. We kept hearing over and over how many drugs they were on and how they couldn’t function. Many were losing jobs and not able to take care of their families. They couldn’t understand why they couldn’t hold a job, yet were so heavily medicated. I learned they had never really received treatment for their brain injuries, just drugs to help with their symptoms. That really doesn’t help, only makes everything worse. Those with traumatic brain injury (TBI) usually have post-traumatic stress (PTS). It was clear to us to try and help them get some adequate treatment so they wouldn’t become homeless, because once they start down that path it is very hard for them to climb out. We help them with rent, mortgages, utilities, car payments, etc. while trying to get them into alternative treatments and off their medications. Some of the Veterans we help are waiting for benefits to start.
We also started some mentoring programs that were initiated by Veterans who are unemployable. We have found these programs very beneficial to the emotional well being of the Veterans who participate in them.
Please tell us about Defenders of Freedom.
Our Non-Profit’s main program is emergency financial assistance to post 9/11 Veterans who have deployed to the middle east. We pay bills for them when they are waiting on benefits to start, or if they have fallen on hard times. We pay vendors directly to ensure their bills are paid, keeping them from becoming homeless.
I am proud of the individual commitment we make to Veterans to see them through a tough time and stay, with them until they are on their feet. For some it is a onetime assistance and for others it has taken a couple of years. We have learned that there are so many situations to consider, based on where they served, what their jobs in the military were, how many times they deployed and the family support they have. Staying with them over their journey and asking them to help us help other Veterans who are struggling has built a family among the Veterans we serve. The brotherhood Veterans share is a bond that is very deep based on systems. They seem to find the best healing when they are among each other being supportive. Giving them opportunities like clay shooting or golfing brings them together with a fun activity and they can be themselves. It has proven to be very healing for so many.
I think the thing that sets us apart is the commitment we give to the individual. We have never cared about numbers as much as we care about giving our best to the Veteran. We will stay with them throughout their journey. Nothing is more rewarding than to see them finally giving back to other Veterans and enjoying life again.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I am not sure I have one favorite memory other than always feeling loved and cared for. I was one of six children and Mom was always home with us. Dad worked three jobs most of time, including working as a diesel mechanic out of his home garage. My maternal grandparents were always very close to us and helped to instill love and support. While we were poor, we had everything we needed in love and support. I believe it built into me a strong work ethic and to go with the flow of things.
My dad was a WWII Veteran, having served in the Pacific theatre. Mom was in the civil air patrol and would go to Camp Atterbury to sing for the troops. They met and married after dad was home. My parents instilled a love of God, country and our military into the fabric of each one of their children. I believe it helped me in the commitment I have to give back to our Veterans today.
Contact Info:
- Address: 320 Highway 121 STE 208, Coppell, TX 75019
- Website: www.defendersoffreedom.us
- Phone: 214-232-4962
- Email: donna@defendersoffreedom.us
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defendersoffreedom/?ref=badge
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DefendersOfFreedom
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DefofFreedom
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