WACO, Texas (KWTX) – Jim Jensen cherishes moments like a foosball game with his daughter at the Veterans One Stop in Waco. It is a place the Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom Air Force veteran goes to spend time with his family and other veterans.

“I’ve been through a lot of resources,” Jensen said. “I know where they are. I know who veterans should talk to. At least know how to guide them to the right people. Nobody was there to help me.”

Jensen now talks with veterans of all ages at the Veterans One Stop who need help. A three-day Memorial Day weekend when many families enjoy cookouts and holiday deals holds more significance for veterans that we talked to during Mental Health Awareness and Military Appreciation Month.

“A deep appreciation of what we have and a reflection of how we got here,” Jensen said.

Retired veterans, Tina Tiller with the Veterans One Stop and John Footman with the Military Order of the Purple Heart, join Jensen with stories that span decades. They all lost loved ones in combat. Tiller lost her husband to suicide while serving on what was Fort Hood as an expecting mother.

“As you are remembering your time in service, remembering those that you served with, that can be a tough time for people,” Tiller said.

“My best buddy died in my arms,” Footman said.

Despite what seems like insurmountable challenges, all three of these veterans continued to serve and when they finally stepped away to civilian life, they became loyal allies to those who are still struggling with their mental health.

“I would go through counselors very quickly because they don’t stay,” Jensen explained. “So, every time you get a new counselor which is every few months, you have to start all over. That’s one of the reasons I came to the One Stop and why I like it here so much is I’ve been seeing the same person for years. So, I can actually make real progress.”

“We are similar to the VA,” Tiller said. “But as a nonprofit, we come aside the VA to help the veteran and the family. Even if it’s just grabbing lunch.”

“A lot of guys…if you sit down and talk to them, you can kind of pull them out of it,” Footman said.

For more information about mental health resources at the Veterans One Stop in Waco, visit Veterans One Stop.

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