The Point

Despite the Tampa Bay Buccaneers losing and the day ending in a thunderstorm, Laughs for the Troops’ recent visit by U.S. veterans from the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa to Raymond James Stadium proved to be a bright ray of sunshine.

For an afternoon, where the weather ranged from bright, sunny skies to lightning flashing across the sky, the veterans, all Haley patients dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injuries were able to kick back, relax and watch some pro football.

“It’s so great to be able to see these warriors go out and enjoy themselves,” said Thomas Brown, CEO and president of Laughs for the Troops, a 501(c)3 non-profit in Riverview dedicated to helping U.S. veterans recover from PTSD or TBI “It’s also rewarding to have the Bucs and Mr. Joe Hawley come on board to help make this happen.”

Ten tickets for the Sept. 25 game in Tampa, in which the Los Angeles Rams won 37-32, were provided by Joe Hawley, above, a center for the Buccaneers. The eight veterans attending the game received Hawley’s Heroes T-shirts.

Besides spending time watching an NFL game, the trip also served another purpose. As part of its community reactivation program, Haley incorporates visits to public places, theme parks and sporting events as part of its therapy program. The sights, sounds and big crowd were a big test for the veterans.

“The patients we took are suffering from PTSD. So, it’s ongoing therapy that they learn how to resocialize. Many of them have been isolated for so long, that this is part of their therapy,” said Larry Miller, a retired Navy commander who now works in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department of the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa. “Since they all came out together, this is an opportunity for them to bond as outpatients as well as being inpatients. Events like this teach them that resocialization is not something to be afraid of.”

“They are a far quieter bunch of military people than you would expect,” said Miller. “You can’t see any visible wounds on these vets. I deployed to war with some of them and have come back with them. I’ve seen them at the worst of their worst. It’s an absolute exciting pleasure to watch them go through the trials and tribulations of life and then walk out the doors to carry on with their lives.”

One look at the photos, though, from cheering for the Bucs to meeting Captain Fear (the Buccaneers mascot), shows the veterans enjoyed themselves.

“This is why we do what we do,” Brown said. “If we can improve the quality of life for these brave warriors, if even only for a moment, it’s definitely worth all of the hard work that goes into an event like this.”

We’re here to help
If you know of any veteran or military family dealing with PTSD or TBI who could benefit from Laughs for the Troops’ efforts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’ll be more than happy to help.

All photos, except for the one of Joe Hawley, are by Jay Nolan.

Patterson Companies CEO Steve Howard, left, and Laughs for the Troops president and CEO Thomas Brown. Mr. Howard was the recipient of the non-profit group’s Humanitarian Award.

Our ‘shining light’
To say Steve Howard has become a go-to guy for Laughs for the Troops would be an understatement. From being the title sponsor of events to working behind the scenes, Howard, the president and CEO of the Patterson Companies in Plant City, has made a positive impact on the non-profit organization.

His efforts, too, are certainly appreciated. That’s why Laughs for the Troops, which helps U.S. veterans recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder and/or traumatic brain injuries, recently named Howard as the first recipient of its Humanitarian Award.

“From Day 1, he has always supported us,” said Thomas Brown, CEO of Laughs for the Troops. “We can’t think of a better person to honor.”

“He’s a shining light who has helped us get as far as we have. He’s blessed and truly wants to help others,” Brown continued. “He’s the benchmark of who people need to model when they want to do something in the community.”

Howard, one of the most genuine men you’ll ever meet, sees it as a two-way street. He wants to help Laughs for the Troops so the organization can help more U.S. veterans.  The Humanitarian Award reflects those efforts.

The award came as a great surprise, Howard said.

“It’s just a great thing that they’re doing,” Howard said of Laughs for the Troops. “I was very shocked to receive that award. Total shock. Very humbled and blessed to get it. It meant a lot to me. It brought tears to my eyes. ”

That news brought a smile to Brown, who worked behind the scenes with Howard’s family and friends to make sure the award presentation remained a secret and the night had a special meaning for Howard.

“It was a great way to honor a man who has done so much for Laughs for the Troops,” Brown said.

For Howard, who had three brothers serve in Vietnam during the late 1960s, wanting to help comes naturally. His business, Patterson Companies, is a transportation management provider that has served the perishable and non-perishable goods industries for more than 30 years. With 23 offices in 11 states, it’s this business success that leads Howard to give back to the community.

“I enjoy helping out and giving back,” Howard said. “It’s heartfelt and very touching when I can do something like that.”

One such event was organization’s Funniest Night in America at the Straz Center in downtown Tampa, where 600 veterans and their family members were treated to a summer night of family-friendly comedy.

“It was very rewarding to go to this event. You watch these guys laugh and enjoy themselves,” Howard said. “It’s a real tear-jerker watching these veterans actually enjoy themselves. It’s very uplifting.”

To Laughs for the Troops, it’s Howard’s efforts that are truly inspiring and, yes, uplifting.

“With more people helping us like Mr. Howard, we’re able to help more veterans to see that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel,” Brown said.