Kevin grew up in Indianapolis, where life wasn’t easy. With his father absent and the streets offering more hardship than opportunity, he leaned on the strength of his hardworking mother and the example of his older brother, who served in the Army Special Forces Airborne Division. His mother’s advice was simple but firm: “Get good grades or find something else to do.” Without a clear academic path, Kevin chose to follow in his brother’s footsteps. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Army—a decision that would shape the next 12 years of his life.

As a Communications Specialist, Kevin’s responsibilities were vast. He worked with radios, satellites, telephone wire systems, and other critical electronics. While stationed in Germany as an E4, he was selected as one of just 50 soldiers out of 5,000 to deploy to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. There, he witnessed horrors that would stay with him forever: Iraqi soldiers destroying villages, committing atrocities against civilians, and leaving devastation in their wake. Kevin recalls these memories with a heavy heart, saying they are “never gonna leave me.”

The war also left physical scars. Like many others, Kevin suffered liver damage and other health issues from the anti-chemical warfare pills soldiers were required to take as protection against Saddam Hussein’s missile attacks.

After being honorably discharged in 1992, Kevin reenlisted, committed to the life he had built as a soldier. By then, he and his wife were raising three children and attending church in Germany. But his wife noticed something was different—Kevin wasn’t the same. He had been diagnosed with PTSD, and the nightmares, chronic fatigue, and emotional toll of combat weighed heavily on him. To cope with the trauma and his worsening liver pain, Kevin turned to cocaine. His struggle with addiction eventually led to a bad conduct discharge.

When his mother was diagnosed with cancer, Kevin moved to Arizona to be closer to her. His battle with addiction continued, but he sought help, completing a VA-sponsored inpatient rehab program in Prescott. In 2015, his health challenges culminated in a liver transplant, a turning point that gave him a second chance at life.

Even while incarcerated for drug possession, Kevin has worked hard to better himself. He has completed the Reentry Program and Changing Offender Behavior, determined to use his experiences to help others. His dream is to one day open a sober living home, offering support and hope to those struggling with addiction.

Kevin takes pride in his children, who have grown into strong, productive adults. His son has even followed the family tradition of service by joining the Navy. Despite the hardships, setbacks, and pain he has endured, Kevin’s outlook remains rooted in gratitude. With conviction and sincerity, he reflects on his journey and says, “God’s been good to me.”