Johnstown Military Family Helped By Legion

In the coming months, thousands of troops will return from Afghanistan. For some, readjusting to life at home won't be easy. One Johnstown family is struggling, like other military families.

"You figure on Dec. 16th, I stood there with my world coming back to me and it has just been a roller coaster ever since,” said Jamie Taylor, wife of Army veteran Richard Taylor.

Eighteen months ago, Richard Taylor returned from the Mideast. Since then, the Taylors said they lost their house and cars. They said they worry about what the future holds.

"I never dreamed we'd be where we are now, having to ask for help just to survive," said Jamie Taylor.

Richard Taylor served in the military for 18 years. He said he applied for welding and mechanic jobs, but lacks the proper certification. After his last tour in Iraq, he said he has trouble sleeping and is battling the emotional scars of war.

"They don't want to say PTSD, (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) because signs and symptoms aren't there. But stress is there,” Jamie said. "I tried looking for military help, but it was always like ‘Is he missing an arm? Is he missing leg? Sorry, we can't help’"

Jamie Taylor contacted WJAC-TV. The news team made calls to veterans support groups and within hours, volunteers from the American Legion were asking how they could help.

"I was worried about the kids,“ Jamie said. “We lived on hamburgers, ramen noodles, and hot dogs."

A legion member from Dubois is working to get the Taylors into a financial assistance program. He also surprised them with a truck load of food.

"He goes, ‘Let's go guys. Put your muscles on.’ Then he started carrying stuff, and carrying stuff, and I just started crying."

"This is something the American Legion does in American every day,” said American Legion National Marketing Director Marty Callaghan. “A lot of it goes unnoticed. I’m very happy the Legion was able to step in and help the family from Johnstown."

Callaghan said two wars and a poor economy created a perfect storm. He said the unemployment rate for former service members ages 18 to 24 stands at 12 percent. Military families are struggling, and he wants them to know the Legion is more than just a neighborhood bar.

“We encourage any military family with a problem of any kind, financial or (in need of a) ride to doctors, to contact our family support network,” Callaghan said.

"Part of it was embarrassing,” Jamie said. “Embarrassing when you have to ask for help, but it was kids so I had to do it."

Since the WJAC-TV news team began investigating this story, someone gave them a car so Richard could attend his doctor appointments. However, Richard is still unemployed.