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Stephen Larkin, HHC 2nd Battalion, Green Mountain Task Force, served in Iraq in 2006. A member of the Vermont National Guard, he sustained devastating back injuries while defending the Iraq-Kuwait border.
His injury damaged a large part of his spinal cord, and doctors replaced one of his vertebrae with a titanium plate. Larkin also left Iraq with PTSD and a loss of feeling in his left side.
Larkin’s injuries left him unable to work. He and his family—his wife also disabled—became dependent upon VA disability checks to cover necessities. With five people in the home, the Brookfield, Vt., family struggled to stay afloat as their situation rapidly deteriorated.
Then came the bad news that the family’s septic tank was failing. They had hit rock bottom.
Faced with the possibility of the state condemning their home if the tank was not replaced, the Larkins needed $15,000—and fast. They had no possible source of additional income.
A light of hope finally shined through when the family contacted Joyce Cloutier at the Vermont National Guard Family Assistance Center. Cloutier immediately contacted Amy-Jayne McCabe of USA Cares to see what could be done.
More than happy to help, McCabe sought relief for the Larkins. She knew USA Cares couldn’t cover the hefty $15,000 bill alone, so she searched other organizations for assistance. VFW Unmet Needs immediately stepped up to the plate, as did six other organizations!
Within three weeks, the groups raised the $15,000 to pay for a new septic tank.
“These organizations came together, each offering a portion of the total needed to make an incredible difference in the life of a soldier who has given so much and asked for so little in return,” said McCabe. “Thanks go to the VFW and everyone involved!” | 
