As a former U.S. Army Captain with six years of active duty service and a combat tour to Afghanistan, it has been the greatest honor of my life to have led the most selfless and admirable men this nation has to offer, American Soldiers. While I carried the rank and issued orders from the comfort of my air conditioned MRAP, my Soldiers carried the burden of executing those orders and enduring the physical, mental, and emotional strain that came with it.
This fundraiser isn’t for me. It’s for them… The boots-on-the-ground warriors who slept in the dirt, dug hasty defensive positions in triple-digit heat, bled through their socks carrying 90 pound packs on 10-mile foot patrols, ate spoiled food out of plastic bags, went weeks without a shower, went days without sleeping, missed holidays, missed birthdays, missed anniversaries, missed the birth of their firstborn, missed their kid's first steps, feared for their lives, watched their best friends get hurt or killed, and came home carrying the invisible wounds of survivor's guilt, moral injury, PTSD, emotional numbness, and troublesome memories of things they saw, things they did, and things they couldn't stop from happening... A quiet weight that they'll never fully shake.
And while they may never ask for help, I will never stop offering it. They took care of me in ways I’ll never be able to fully explain. And now, it’s my job to take care of them – a commitment I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
This fundraiser is just one small way to fulfill that promise and it would mean a great deal if you joined me in doing so.
My goal is to raise $10,000. That may sound like a big number, but I don’t need to explain that it’s a far cry from the sacrifices these men have made in defense of our freedom that we celebrated just a few short days ago this past 4th. These warriors will never ask for your recognition and truthfully, no expression of gratitude could ever fully repay what they’ve given, but you can honor their service by contributing towards legitimately improving their quality of life and that of their families.
Your donation directly supports programs created specifically for combat veterans and their families that aim to improve quality of life and create real, lasting change.
- It supports programs like Warrior PATHH, a 90-day, non-clinical, peer-led initiative that begins with a 7-day immersive experience and continues with months of guided training, support, and connection, delivered by fellow combat veterans. It helps these men learn to carry their experiences with strength and clarity, not silence and isolation.
- It supports residential treatment programs focused on helping veterans navigate and overcome debilitating trauma and rebuild their lives with purpose and self-sufficiency.
- It supports the families of the special operations 75th Ranger Regiment, who bear their own heavy burdens quietly and without complaint while their Soldiers serve in the most dangerous corners of the world.
- And it supports Blue Star Mothers, who remind our deployed troops that someone back home still remembers, still cares, and still waits for their safe return - with a simple box, a handwritten letter, a small piece of home.
These aren’t gestures. They’re lifelines. And this fundraiser is a chance to be part of that. Your donation, whether it’s $10 or $1,000 goes directly toward supporting the deserving Soldiers and families who need it.
Thank you in advance for your support!
LASTLY, if this message resonates with you, I would be incredibly grateful if you would take a moment to share this link with others. Friends, family, coworkers - anyone who would appreciate the chance to support something that truly makes a difference.
Getting this in front of more people helps more Soldiers. And that means everything to me. Thank you!
Alex Van Krevel
Former Captain, U.S. Army
3rd Cavalry Regiment
OEF 14 / OFS 15
