Excellence. Valor. Honor. These are the tenets of service on which Army Veteran Sergeant Ezequiel “Zeek” Grimaldo prided himself and his fellow Airborne soldiers. Their training was rigorous yet preparatory for the battles they would face once deploying to the Middle East after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“When we got attacked…it didn’t phase us. We knew exactly what to do. We knew immediately how to fight back and win the battle”.

Coming home, however, was a different story. Once confident, calm, and controlled in war, Zeek found himself feeling uncertain, unnerved, and unimportant in the civilian world.

“Going back to the civilian world was going to be harder than going into the front lines. We felt unstoppable. Going from that and instantly everything just stops and you’re told ‘you’re no longer needed’ – it was heartbreaking”.

Since 2009, Home Base has helped over 45,000 Veterans, like Zeek, and their Families as they seek healing from the invisible wounds of war and service. Headquartered at its National Center of Excellence in Charlestown, MA, Home Base has expanded into three key regions in Florida, Arizona, and now Zeek’s home state of Texas to offer the same world-class clinical and wellness care to Veterans and Families, closer to home.

“There were days when I felt like my life wasn’t important. I decided to pick up the phone and call Home Base. Being at Home Base with brothers and sisters allowed me to open up and talk to professionals. That’s when I started to realize that I’m not alone, that help was there”.

Zeek’s story is a testament to the life-saving, life-changing care that Home Base provides. “My healing process was started by Home Base. After Home Base, I knew I had a solid foundation but also the fact that the team follows up – it was a true healing program”.

If you or a loved one need care, please visit homebase.org/getcare.

To support Veterans, like Zeek, in this season of giving and gratitude, visit homebase.org/support.