After graduate school, Brandi K. Mora, 38, joined the Air Force to become a language analyst. Ten years of service included postings throughout the United States and a deployment to Afghanistan in 2013.
During a permanent change of station, she struggled to pay her rent because of a military pay error.
“There was an erroneous withholding of my Foreign Language Proficiency Pay that put me in jeopardy,” she explained. “It meant the potential loss of my home and the suspension of my clearance.”
Mora found the VFW Unmet Needs program while searching online for veteran aid. Describing the application process as “incredibly smooth and easy,” Mora was relieved when the assistance came through.
“The support meant everything. I was able to stay on top of my bills until the pay error was fixed,” she said. “I didn’t have to struggle financially with everything else that was going on at that time. I was able to continue focusing on myself, my new job, and my mission.”
Mora is grateful for the support and urges those considering donating to the VFW to do so.
“You have no idea how quickly things can spiral for someone in crisis, and this assistance can quite literally save someone’s life or career,” she said. “Thank you for the selflessness in giving to make this program available to active duty soldiers and veterans alike.”
Mora views the VFW as a community. To her, it is a community committed to serving soldiers and veterans in all stages of life. Regardless of specific circumstances, support is vital.
“My story can happen to anyone in the service — and likely has many times before,” she said. “This kind of assistance keeps an already difficult situation from becoming insurmountable.
“No amount of giving is too little,” Mora insisted. “The VFW maximizes every bit to help soldiers who are in need, which in turn, reminds our active duty and veteran community that they are appreciated and not forgotten.”
Learn more about the VFW’s Unmet Needs program.
