A Navy Veteran’s Story of Finding Hope and Paying it Forward
As we continue to recognize Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, it’s important to remember that even the hardest battles can be faced with greater strength when we have a support system behind us.
At Nation’s Finest, we know that asking for help isn’t always easy, especially for Veterans—but it’s worth it. We are not meant to carry our burdens alone. Leaning on the shared strength of our communities, loved ones, and those we trust the most can help us move mountains we once thought were impossible to even climb.
The story below comes from Rob Holley, a U.S. Navy Veteran who leaned on Nation’s Finest in his darkest moments and now serves as a Veteran Peer Support Specialist on our staff. Rob’s journey reminds us of what’s possible on the other side of healing, even if the horizon isn’t yet in view.
Rob and Lauren, who serve on Nation's Finest's suicide prevention team, pose together at an outreach event at Sonoma State University.
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“Hello, my name is Rob. I am a proud U.S. Navy Gulf War Era Veteran who honorably served four years of active duty attached to Helicopter Squadron HM-15 Blackhawks. Our primary mission was aviation mine counter measures, and my role was aviation ground maintenance—keeping our aircraft flight-ready for 72-hour deployment readiness.
When I was discharged honorably and transitioned into civilian employment, life was good. I built a career in management, married, became a homeowner, and raised four wonderful children. Life had its stressors, but they felt manageable, and I considered my life successful.
It wasn’t until years later that those stressors began to overwhelm me. My emotional well-being, marriage, home life, and work performance all began to suffer. I fell into a viscous cycle of self-medicating to take the power out of feeling depressed all the time.
Eventually, in the grips of alcohol and drug addiction, I lost my job of 17 years. My wife at the time lost hope and moved into her parents’ home with our kids. We were forced to sell our home to avoid financial hardship. Without understanding depression and my battle with it, I continued to self-medicate.
With nowhere else to go, I wound up homeless — living on the streets and floating from one homeless camp to another. For nearly three years, I survived to the best of my ability while drowning in shame, guilt, and remorse. I became so physically and spiritually sick that I wanted to take my own life.
By the grace of God, I found Nation’s Finest, who helps Veterans like me. I admitted myself into their residential behavior health center in Santa Rosa, CA, The Hearn House. During my eight months there, I received extensive case management, guidance into VA health care, mental health treatment, and support through community recovery groups.
Today, I have the honor of giving back what was so freely given to me. I now work as a Veteran Peer Support Specialist with Nations Finest in the Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Program, walking alongside Veterans who are suffering from many aspects of suicide ideation.
I have my children back in my life and I remain dedicated to my sobriety. It takes a courageous warrior to ask for help, and I’m so grateful Nations Finest was there when I did.”
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This Suicide Prevention Month, Nation’s Finest stands alongside Veterans everywhere – helping them feel safe, seen, and strong. If we can help you, please let us. Contact 833-468-9676 or email info@nationsfinest.org.
If you or someone you know is a Veteran in crisis, please call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 (press 1), text 838255, or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net/get-help-now/chat. Help is available 24/7.
