Next month we will be hosting our Annual Sentinels of Freedom Gala. I invite our entire community to join together to support these wounded veterans; to give them the strength and encouragement they need to finish their educational journeys.
It is amazing what these self-motivated individuals have accomplished. To listen to their stories and understand who they are and want to become is such a source of inspiration for me in my own life.
This year, our Sentinel, Johnnie Yellock II, a retired staff sergeant from the US Air Force, will be sharing his journey. Johnnie served two combat tours in the Middle East as an Air Force Special Operations combat controller.
On his second deployment to Afghanistan Johnnie’s vehicle convoy detonated an improvised electronic device (IED). The blast propelled him up and over the vehicle. When he regained consciousness, the first thing he saw was the bottoms of his feet pointing at him, and a lot of blood loss. He sustained compound fractures to both lower extremities and endured more than 3 years of rehab, a year in a wheelchair and 31 surgeries to salvage his legs. He left the service with a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
“SOF came into my life at a time of a lot of uncertainty to help bring clarity surrounding work, school and finances.”
Johnnie works part-time while completing his MBA from Southern Methodist University, but realizes the guidance and support provided by SOF has made all the difference in his successes. Johnnie lives in the Dallas area and gives back by volunteering for various organizations that support the underserved youth in his community.
Please join Johnnie and his fellow Sentinels on April 13, 2019, at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville. To learn more and purchase tickets and sponsorships, please visit www.sentinelsoffreedom.org/2019-GALA
We hope to see you there!
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