THE AMERICAN VOICE

The Hotwash with CJ

Steve Gore, who has been a chainsaw artist for over 18 years, is using his talent to create the American First Responders Memorial Monument to honor and memorialize all fallen firefighters and other first responders.Gore also suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. “I was down to one chainsaw, living in a small hotel room I was suicidal and had a loaded weapon.He met some Vietnam veterans. “They sat with me for 10-12 hours and let me know what was happening with my PTSD and explained the triggers.They got me out into the world I carved again in an open location, surrounded by Vietnam veterans. Their tutelage and caring saved my life. John The Pate family, John and Vaneta, John having served in the Army National Guard, a EMT, and Police officer and Vaneta, a Licensed Practical Nurse. Have taken upon themselves to build a homeless community for our homeless veterans in the El Paso area.Mr. Pate spent many nights in VA Hospitals were he had eight back surgeries in the past year. During that time the Pate’s spent many of hours visiting and talking with fellow veterans. John had a roommate in the hospital that served during Vietnam, after getting to know the man, he confided that he was homeless due to unforeseen circumstances. The Pate’s had their eyes opened to the epidemic facing our veterans. The Pates decided it was time to do something about the problem.There are 50,000 plus homeless veterans reported in the US. That was when they realized they had to help the homeless veterans. The decision was made to take all the profits from the sale of their home and build a community for our homeless veterans.They were approached with a gift of 10.5 acers in Sierra Blanca. After research and talking to the El Paso VA it was learned that over 2000 veterans sleep on the streets at any given night in the El Paso.