Injured Soldier gets new title: Home Owner

By MaryTherese Griffin, Warrior Care and Transition

ARLINGTON, Va. - U.S. Army Master Sgt. (ret.) Michael Levine has many titles: husband, father, soldier, and now wounded veteran. His American dream of having a family, home, career and working toward retirement was coming true until it all changed in Iraq.

"I was hit (by an improvised explosive device) on May 25, 2005 at around 10:30 pm, right outside of [Logistics Support Activity] Anaconda," Levine said. Levine sustained a traumatic brain injury from the blast, an injury that he continues to suffer seizures and memory loss from to this day.

For several years, the motor transport operator struggled with his TBI, but that all changed when he learned about Army Wounded Warrior Program advocates. Jennifer Howard, a retired Veteran turned AW2 advocate in Des Moines, Iowa, began to help Levine and his family.

"Master Sgt. Levine and his family were living in military housing at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa and expressed concerns about being able to afford a home after his discharge," Howard said. "He shared his desire to own a home to provide stability for his family, but knew it could be years before that could happen. Being separated from the Army also meant he would be losing his military technician job, so he was facing a drastic reduction in monthly income."

Howard and several others worked with Levine, his wife, and their three children when they needed it most.

"[Howard and the others] helped get information from one [Veterans Affairs Office] to another. They helped us get make car payments while I was unable to work and helped get me connected with community and resources," Levine said. "Jennifer Howard went over and beyond helping me when I felt overwhelmed in treatment and she held our hand until we made it through the retirement process."

Levine retired in July, but Howard continued to help him and his family.

"After talking about finances and options, I simply provided them with a little bit of information, and Michael and Jenna took the initiative to follow through with the application." The effort and stress would turn out to be worth it as Levine was able to add "homeowner" to his list of titles.

The Levine family recently moved into their new home in North Carolina. As he reflects on his journey he has advice for fellow wounded warriors. "Don't give up. Ask for help and keep fighting the good fight. There is light at the end of that tunnel."

For Levine, that light is now on their front porch.