Mr. Bond is a true American hero, and like many of our brave men and women in uniform entered military service when he was just 18 years old. He told attendees how the scars upon his grandfather’s back, undertaken during our Nation’s previous conflicts, inspired him as a child.
Immediately after the terrorist attacks in 2001 Justin reenlisted with the National Guard and was eventually deployed to Iraq where he participated in the first Battle of Fallujah.
Justin candidly recalled his experiences in war, the loyalty felt to his fellow brothers-in-arms on the battle field and the genuine, heart-felt appreciation for the support and integration of the other armed services he was privileged to fight alongside. He told avid listeners that “It is a well-oiled machined, and they only do this because America is so great. Because of great businesses, like this, that make America thrive and for our freedom, so we don’t have a dictator ruling over us.”
Justin detailed the size of Fallujah, which at the time was populated with approximately 300,000 individuals, and the procedures the Army and Marines utilized to sweep the city, eliminating insurgency.
The adrenaline-filled and terrifying eleventh fire-fight Justin experienced was the same where Matt Maupin and Thomas Hamill were captured, merely 30 yards from his own position. Insurgents, embolden by their numerical superiority, literally were pulling men out of vehicles by standing on their running boards.
“I had already been shot through both knees at that point,” he said. “It was eight o’clock in the morning and we had just gotten out of another fire-fight at two o’clock the night before.” Justin explained how all of the soldiers’ major weapons like their .50 caliber machine guns and grenades were jammed or inoperable due to overuse. He went on to provide wrenching details about the assault. Later, intelligence revealed some 1000 insurgents had pressed down upon this group of 21 American troops. Among the attackers were children armed with insurgent weapons. Bond quietly and seriously said, “Americans aren’t built for that...and you can actually see me stop and pray on the truck’s video as he fired his weapon at us.” Following, Justin went on to convey the mind of the enemy America faces and other tactics they use. Justin reiterated the need for faith in America and the ideals set by the Founding Fathers.
Following, the Sargent talked about the “silent killer” of American service personnel which is, sadly, suicide. “Approximately 6000 people have been lost to Iraq and Afghanistan, troops lost to combat. In a five year study, we lost 32,850 to suicide – 18 per day. The cited number today is 22 per day that number does not include accidental suicide.” He added that 68% of military suicides saw counseling for one year or more and 100% of those individuals saw help a week before death.
Our Heroes’ Dreams was created to stop veteran suicide and better address our troops’ mental, psychological and physical needs after returning from war. This all volunteer program begins with peer counseling with other combat veterans, particularly those from Vietnam. Justin elaborated on this special distinction from typical federal or state counseling, “The veteran connects with them. Vets that have 40 years of experience with PTSD are the guys who need to do the work, to really understand, to build rapport with our young veterans. That’s when the healing process can begin.”
This non-profit organization provides not only a foundation of understanding but also explores different avenues for future life missions. Justin explained how veterans after serving the country in traumatic conditions for on average of four years, “return home, hit the couch and check out of society and ultimately, out of life.” Our Heroes’ Dreams provides vets with high adrenaline activities in addition to counseling such as sky diving, scuba diving and animal training with elephants, tigers and other exotic animals. These activities help veterans begin to overcome psychological and physical issues left from IEDs and fire fights but also help them realize that they are now free to choose their own life mission in areas that they are passionate and find joy in doing. Vets go from being recluse to being active participants in society, often creating their own organizations and businesses.
The results of Our Heroes’ Dreams have been 100% successful; not a single veteran who participated in the program has taken their own life. Mr. Bond plans to expand the program to accommodate more participants eventually extending to the national level. B-K Lighting CEO and Founder Doug Hagen presented Our Heroes’ Dreams with a $5000 donation to help with those efforts.
All of us at B-K Lighting + TEKA Illumination, Star Finishes, Blue Dolphin Design and Engineering and Etendue Café were honored to have had Justin Bond speak our 12th annual September 11th Memorial Ceremony. We sincerely thank him for his service to our country in and out of uniform, and his family.
Retired Army Sergeant Justin Bond poses with Boy Scout Troop 223 following the Memorial Ceremony.