About Us

Why we started Veterans Serving Veterans

This story is deeply personal, and most people know I’m not big on sharing things like this. But if sharing helps even one Veteran, then it’s worth it.

At the beginning of 2025, my life turned upside down. It started with the passing of my mother, and before long, I was in the hospital myself. I had been throwing up blood for weeks, but being stubborn, I refused to go to the doctor. I chalked it up to stress and tried to ignore it. Thankfully, my wife had enough and convinced me to go to urgent care (thank you to iCare ER & Urgent Care – Fort Worth, TX). They moved quickly, ran tests, and sent me straight to Texas Health Southwest, where a room was already waiting for me.

After a week of tests and an endoscopy, doctors told me I had 3–6 months to live without seeing a specialist. That hit me hard. I went home, determined to make changes — eating healthier, giving up alcohol, and trying to take better care of myself — but something still felt “off.”

On May 3rd, I tried to make it a special day for my family. We couldn’t afford much, but I planned Leia’s first camping trip at Cleburne State Park. She got to fish and swim, but I couldn’t join in because I felt terrible. That night, around 2:30 a.m., my symptoms came back full force. Ashley packed everything up, and we rushed to the ER. From there, everything became a blur.

I woke up days later in ICU, having been on a ventilator while doctors drained quarts of fluid from my stomach. That’s when I met Dr. Reddy — a doctor who truly listened. She encouraged me to go directly to the VA to get the specialist I desperately needed.

On Mother’s Day, while still in the hospital, I felt something shift. I asked my wife to bring me candy, and together with Leia, we went around handing it out to nurses and patients. After losing my mother earlier in the year, it was a small gesture that lit a spark inside me. I realized I wanted to give back.

That spark grew into what is now VSV (Veterans Serving Veterans). At first, there was no name, no logo, no plan — just the determination to make a difference.

The very next morning, I went to the Fort Worth VA. At first, I was told there were no same-day appointments, but a supervisor overheard and corrected the staff: I was exactly the type of patient who should be seen right away. Within hours, I was connected to Dr. Wells at the Dallas VA, who told me the words I needed to hear: “I will take care of you.”

From that day, my outlook began to change. With new medications, lifestyle adjustments (no salt — yuck!), and steady support, I improved dramatically. I didn’t need a transplant, and my future looked much brighter.

 After talking with Jenny at the local VSO in Cleburne, I learned that one of the greatest needs was transportation to VA appointments. Many Veterans struggle to get to Dallas, Fort Worth, or Waco, and the VSO can’t afford NREMT services.

So that became our first project: a free VA transport service for Veterans. We don’t just want to drop someone off at the front door — we want to provide comfort, community, and a “Veteran’s Friend” to walk with them all the way to their appointment or surgery.

This is only the beginning. We have other projects in the works, but this is where we start. And I want to be clear: I will get this done. If I have to beg, borrow, and apply for every grant possible, I will.

Thank you for your support — past, present, and future. To my brothers and sisters in arms: we are here for you.

With deepest respect,
Alex