In Their Own Words: Kenneth Forbes
Room to Breathe:
How the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes Helped Vet
Save Home from Foreclosure
Like so many Americans, Kenneth Forbes found himself with a mortgage payment he could not get out from under. The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes (CSAH) stepped in to pull him back to his feet.
No Air
Sgt. Kenneth A. Forbes, U.S. Army (Ret.), always knew he would enlist in the Army. His father had served in Iraq in Desert Storm and in January of 1999 the younger Forbes realized his dream and enlisted. He would later be sent to Iraq to follow in his father’s footsteps.
In January of 2003, Forbes deployed with the Alpha Battery 388 unit out of Fort Stewart, Georgia to Kuwait. His unit was later transferred to Fallujah, Iraq. It was there that Forbes served as a unit supply clerk. Forbes was in the midst of the desert environment and delivering supplies to troops when he began to have trouble breathing.
“I just couldn’t get enough air in my lungs,” Forbes said. “Being in the desert and having breathing problems is not a good combination.”
Forbes began to be tested for different conditions. Several times the doctors diagnosed asthma, but his condition simply worsened. When Forbes began having trouble walking due to lack of air, doctors pulled him from duty and scheduled a surgery. They discovered sarcoidosis, a disease that affected Forbes’ lungs and ability to serve in the Army. They began the lengthy course to medically discharge and treat him.
When Forbes was medically discharged he realized that his world would be entirely changed. His family, including his wife Tonya and daughter Makayla would have to learn to live on his pension.
Coming Up For Air
While Forbes’ condition was making it harder to breathe; the increasing medical bills only added pressure to his life.
“Not only was my wife worried about my condition and paying the bills, but she had to take on more responsibilities where I could not,” Forbes lamented. “She took on more duties in the raising of our child and maintaining our home.”
The Forbes family’s first breath of fresh air came when CSAH sent them several gift certificates and a check for $500.00 in the mail. The family used the money to supplement their grocery and gas bills. “It was such a relief to just not worry about the little things for a while,” Forbes said.
But their relief was momentary. The slumping economy has hurt Americans greatly, but none more than wounded veterans who fought to give us our freedom. Forbes, just like so many others that are discharged, could not work and could not stretch his pension far enough. The family needed more than just relief from the little things.
“We had been praying for help and waiting for God to answer,” Forbes said. “I had taxes and a mortgage on my home that there was no way for me to pay. I was going to take out a loan that I knew I could not pay back and then the Coalition answered our prayers.”
Forbes was sent an e-mail from CSAH that asked if anyone needed immediate assistance and was surprised by how quickly the organization responded. He received a phone call and within days the family received the much needed help in the form of a check for $1600.
“Thanks to God and the Coalition, our family will not have to spend the New Year wondering if our house will be taken away from us,” a relieved Forbes said. “It was like we could finally come up for some fresh air and have room to breathe.”
Since receiving the check, the Forbes family has been able to recover financially and readjust to making their payments.
Forbes and his family currently reside in St. Louis, Missouri and he is currently attending school online through the GI Bill to pursue a career in criminal justice.