After years as a very successful court reporter in Missouri, Pat Rowe found herself in an extremely difficult position personally. Her husband was on life support from a botched appendectomy and was later hit by a semi. Her daughter was called off for another tour of duty leaving Pat to take care of her then 13 month old grandson. At the time they both her husband and grandson were learning to walk and talk. “It was exhausting…and I knew what I was doing! I knew the system already!”

Her husband had been a counselor advocating the idea that when life gets to be too overwhelming, it’s best to break things down with in fifteen minute increments. While someone else may have wallowed in these unfortunate circumstances, Pat decided, with her husband and few other citizens, to make a plan. They began organizing community events to bring the families of soldiers together within the community. Together they developed over 11 “support the troop’s events”.

Pat worked nights at the Senate to support her family and was able to keep their health insurance. Her programs became so successful that the Missouri Veterans Commission invited her to create programs for those who had served since 9-11.

As she became more and more entrenched in the political atmosphere she began to notice that her most successful programs were started from the ground up. This approach served her well as a way of side stepping some of the red tape that can so often clog progress. Her goal came to be the education of the communities within which our veteran’s caregivers reside and the soldiers themselves, as well as the MO Veterans Commission offering insight into the many disconnects from one organization to another.

From 2004 to November of 2009 Pat worked with over 4,000 Troops, Families and Veterans. Due to state budget cuts she and a few others were let go. Yet once again, Pat at 57, instead of wallowing, took the high road. She is now working toward earning her MBA and she continues to work with veteran’s everyday.

Robert Wake Senior is a Purple Heart recipient. After being injured in Najaf in 2004 he had 93 pieces of shrapnel left in his body. While he was deployed his power of attorney died and he lost his home at auction.

He was completely lost by the time he met Pat at the Ft. Lenard Wood Hospital. She helped him receive a 30k dollar grant through Mark Cuban and the Fallen Patriots Fund. Perhaps even more significantly she also helped him get in contact with Team River Runner and the Mission Continues.

While he still struggles with his many injuries including massive brain trauma and PTSD, he is now a certified Kayak instructor and helps lead groups of amputees on kayak trips like the one he is currently planning through the Grand Canyon.

“It all circles back to this little lady!” Robert said. He credits much of his success to Pat Rowe.                               

 

When was it you first became so actively involved in the military community?

In June 2004 I started community-wide Support Your Troops’ events Mar 23, 2003 (if that’s a Sat) and my husband and I hosted 11, each with a different theme.

Attendance ranged from 800 to 4,000 and one included the renowned Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon from 8th and I. Many community members came together to make them a success!

 

I understand you and your husband have a long military history in your family. Tell us a little bit about that.

Between my husband, Rev John Kerr and myself we have quite a few. We are related to Sir Francis Drake, who served the Queen of England and visited North Carolina in the early 1500’s. Two relatives served on both sides of the Civil War as well as during the Spanish American War. Three family members served in WWI, five in WWII! As well as nine others, one of which is currently deployed. My Granddad, Father and Uncle are all buried in St. Louis at the National Cemetery.

 My Aunt was a code breaker in DC during WW II – she and my Uncle are still alive as of course are the younger folks.   

That’s amazing!!! You have quite the history!

 

How many veterans and their families have you reached?   

From June 2004 to Nov 10, 2009 we estimate around 4,000 troops, families or veterans.    Now that I’m working from home and focusing on my MBA, whoever is referred to me.   Some I forward over to the state agency, depending on their needs.

 

What are the biggest obstacles you face when trying to reach people? What obstacles are you facing dealing with the administrations “red tape” issues?

I think the issues facing these Warriors/Veterans/Families is not only red tape that always seems to be in place and so much paperwork, but also the ability to keep up with new legislation providing them new benefits or making changes in benefits.

Kudos to the government for creating new benefits, but timeliness and access is difficult when someone has been briefed prior to deployment and then mid deployment significant changes are made. Those administering benefits of any sort need to remember that human beings are thinking about their future long before they return to their homes of record.    And frankly, transition from BAH or BAQ to private residential is difficult from a monetary standpoint when the checks don’t arrive for several months.

Another difficulty is transition back in to the community and trying to make all the VA appointments in a timely manner.   The Veterans need to be encouraged to ask the VA scheduler to try to bunch the appointments up so they do not have to keep taking off from work.   VA is willing to work with the Veterans – everyone simply needs to communicate.   

And for those who have served since 9-11, they should try not to get frustrated when they do not receive a response as quick as they would like.   At each VA facility there are POCs available solely to them who are called OEF and OIF case managers and social workers.   The Veteran simply needs to go to the information desk and ask for one of those individuals.

Reaching certain subsets of Veterans, Troops and Families is difficult.   I think the success we had related strongly to the intense outreach we did through education and advocacy and working at building coalitions and collaborations.   But passing the word forward about websites like www.veterancaregiver.com and www.militaryonesource.org is critically important and getting that information in to the hands of the caregivers is critical.   

In my case, most people just yahoo or Google Pat Rowe Kerr and find my name and number now that we have had our ‘budget cuts’ and then email or call me.

That’s why this weekend it was so easy to put together the package that moved the family of our injured Troop to be at his bedside WHEN he arrived as opposed to arriving after he lands at Andrews.

Veterans Air Compassion was the resource that put together the 3 flights for the family members at no cost to the family – it was anticipated 4 would be needed.    Operation First Response took care of the trip from Reagan International up to the Walter Reed area and one or two nights of hotel stay while DoD got the family on invitational travel orders.

What that allowed was for the family members to be bed side within minutes of the severely injured Troop arriving without interfering with operational security, etc.   In this case, there were 4 injured arriving with this young Warrior and he was the only one to have family bedside at that point.   The family stayed until all injured were unloaded and greeted them as their own.   In contrast, another injured’s family was not able to arrive for a couple days after his arrival at the medical treatment facility, and he ultimately coded.

Each and every hour is critical and important to both the family and the injured.   That’s not just about folks ‘feelings’, but statistically stated in the AMA journals.   

Linda Kreter from Veterancaregiver was available with any resources that might be needed on the other end of the continuum of care.

And then, when our Troop is healed and ready to be back with some of his guys, there is the Road to Recovery Conference through CSAH or Fellowships through The Mission Continues.   There are many more organizations that we work with, depending on an individual’s particular needs from a non-clinical point of view and it truly is about “Life After War; It’s About Making A Plan.” Together, we can all make the difference!

 

How can our readers get involved in their communities?

Readers can create any type of event to support Troops, Veterans or Families.   They can contact their local National Guards and ask to be linked up to the Family Readiness Groups.   Say for instance, they promote a ‘run’ or a ‘poker run’, they can donate their dollars to organizations like Operation First Response (www.operationfirstresponse.org) or they can create events like Power of 11 Cents to teach children patriotism.   Almost all states have state military family relief funds (except for 6) which donations, honoriums, and memorials can be made to.

 

Can they contact you to help?  

And yes, I’ll be happy to provide some ideas – it’s just best to reach me by email at patrkerr@gmail.com or patkerr@tmo.blackberry.net because phone calls of any length usually need to happen later in the evening for me.

 

What message would you like to communicate to our readers?  

First, I would like to thank our troops and their families for their continued commitment, and to our Veterans who have led the way in keeping our country safe so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have.

Secondly, each one of us has an opportunity to show our patriotism in some small way – mow the lawn of a Veteran, drop of a Wal-Mart card in the mailbox of a family whose Troop is deployed, put together shoe box drops to send to Troops to dispense to the children of Iraq and Afghanistan…but do something.

And also, make a plan for your own family so that we as a country are better equipped to handle any tragedy that could come our way.   And practice that plan.

Thirdly, each one of us looks at the red, white and blue nearly on a daily basis.   Some times we do not even see what it represents as it waves so effortlessly in the wind.  Old Glory speaks to us on many levels, and we all see it through different sets of eyes.  Make sure that the Flag continues to represent us well by the actions that we do in our daily lives to show that we are truly thankful for the sacrifices of our Troops, Veterans and their Families!