Jared Lemon Veterans Day Feature

 “OpRes has saved lives. I’ve got buddies I know who are doing better because of this. I feel like I’m doing better because of it.” 

- US Army Veteran Jared Lemon  

As Veterans Day approaches, choose to honor those who have made incredible sacrifices for our nation by supporting Operation Resilience. Many heroes are still recovering from the sacrifices they made in the name of freedom.

The Independence Fund’s OpRes program reunites Veterans who carry the invisible wounds of war each day to promote camaraderie and healing.

Veteran Jared Lemon joined the US Army in 2006, becoming part of the famous 82nd Airborne Division. He has attended two OpRes retreats with Bravo Company 2-508 to work alongside his brothers to prevent Veteran suicide.

Jared deployed to Afghanistan twice and was severely injured during his second deployment, where he was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). \

He lost his right arm and suffered extensive damage to the right side of his back from the explosion. After being medically evacuated out of Afghanistan, he embarked on the long road to recovery and learned to live life with less than he had before. 

As a member of B Co. 2-508, Jared lost unit members during deployment and later, upon returning home, due to Veteran suicide. Since attending the very first OpRes retreat, Jared’s unit has not lost any additional members to suicide. 

Your Support Matters 

This Veterans Day, The Independence Fund will host 100 Veterans from the US Army’s 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment for an OpRes retreat, many of whom deployed to Afghanistan and share a story like Jared’s.  

Donate to The Independence Fund today and ensure more units like B Co. 2-508 can reconnect and fight Veteran suicide.