“I decided to join the Army on a whim,” explained Antonio DePetris, 35.
After finishing his first year of college, DePetris was home when his brother William brought up the idea of enlisting. DePetris considered, and not long after, they were at the recruitment office.
After completing training together, William was stationed in Germany, and Antonio was sent to Fort Polk in Vernon Parish, Louisiana. Once there, he graduated from Army Air Assault School, the Light Fighters Schools’ Long Range Marksmanship School and two military leadership courses, and he made the rank of Staff Sergeant in just over four years.
He was deployed overseas three times — once to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan. During his tours in Afghanistan, DePetris earned an Army Commendation Medal for Valor, a Bronze Star and his Combat Infantryman Badge. But with those accolades came sacrifice.
Now discharged, DePetris suffers from several service-connected conditions. Some, he explained, are the typical “wear and tear” you would expect. Others are the result of specific traumas he endured while serving.
“I have something wrong with my body from head to toe due to service,” he said.
DePetris has been diagnosed with migraines, sleep apnea, arthritis, degenerative disc disease and more. He also copes with a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress (PTS). At 26, DePetris had no choice but to medically retire from the Army.
Today, he lives in Rosepine, Louisiana, with his wife, Chloe, and children Karder and Pyper. In 2020, two storms hit their town and displaced them from their home. Ever since, DePetris said, the family has been playing catch-up.
Searching online for assistance, he came across the VFW Unmet Needs program. DePetris described the application process as both challenging and rewarding.
“I had to dig into my past, and the emotions it unearthed were painful,” he said. “But it was also a form of hope for me and my family.”
The assistance offered some financial relief and helped cover rent and a car payment.
“It meant a lot, mainly because it assisted my family and allowed us to breathe a little bit,” DePetris explained. “I need my family to be okay … they’re my life.”
DePetris hopes those who make these grants possible realize how much their generosity means.
“Whether it’s someone’s water bill or mortgage, the impact is immeasurable,” he said. “If a veteran reaches out and exposes that level of vulnerability, they really need help. Sometimes a disconnect notice is the last straw and can lead to something terrible.”
DePetris encourages others to donate if they can. He explained that service members do not expect to need a resource like VFW’s Unmet Needs program. But it means a great deal to know it is there for them if they do.
“Most veterans are in a situation like me: getting promoted fast, climbing the ranks, then forced to medically retire,” he said. “All of a sudden, you’re done. Your disabilities worsen, PTS sets in and it’s very dangerous. Having somewhere to turn can save lives.”
Learn more about the VFW’s Unmet Needs program.
