CHUCK ESSER

I'm an Air Force veteran who served during the Vietnam era. Since then, I've stayed connected to my fellow veterans as a State Certified Veteran Peer Specialist, helping others navigate the same challenges I understand from the inside. Today, I volunteer with LifeStriders Equine Therapy and the Waukesha Hope Center.

When I served as a staff member for a Healing Warrior Hearts retreat, I saw the transformation in the participants and felt the strength of the caring community that is the Starfish Foundation. I knew I was home — a place where I could contribute and make a real difference in the lives of veterans and their families. I'm blessed to be part of the Healing Warrior Hearts staff, one more way to keep showing up for other veterans and help save lives.