Supply Crate – Alejandro

Today's Supply Crate update is about Alejandro, a Marine Corps and Army National Guard Veteran whose wife put him in for a new PS5 so he could continue to host Madden leagues for his online gaming friends.

I’m Alejandro’s wife. He doesn’t know I’m doing this. My husband served in the Marine Corps for 4 years after which he enlisted in the Army National Guard. He served a total of 23/12 years before being medically retired in July 2020. During his service he was deployed to Afghanistan-the Mazar al Sharif area for a total of 18 months. During this time he received service related injuries that include shoulder, spine, both knee. He’s had repeated surgery for these and is VA rated 100%. His mental health also suffered greatly. He was depressed, closed, angry, had night terrors. He never talked about his time there until recently. When we sat down and talked I finally found out why. During his deployment he witnessed a whole unit step out the door right into an explosion from which no one survived. He suffered injuries as well. He disclosed that the unit was due to leave after his but his CO was late and they volunteered to go first and as second in command he agreed to this. His survivor guilt and ptsd from that decision is treated. Even worse when the deployment ended 3 close friends commit suicide. These were people who ate dinner with us, came to birthdays, and whom we both knew and loved. Over the years he has found an outlet for his depression and anxiety through gaming. After an argument or when he’s had a really bad day, even the middle of the night when his insomnia and nightmares are too much. Often I sit with him and watch him play sometimes we talk sometimes it’s just being near each other. Two years ago he started really trying to connected with the local military community hoping the legion and vfw. He met other veterans but it was sporadic and for short periods of time. So he started an online gaming community with/for the very he was meeting. There are consistently at least 10-15 members. One of the biggest events is the Madden League. He’s been worried after this season because most of the members only have PS4 consoles…and he found out this is the last year Madden will be available for it. He has been scouring the internet trying to find help to get his members PS5 consoles as they like him find gaming with a common a way to keep up connections, as they usually communicate both in the games and on their discord. Like him they also use gaming in general as a way to treat their anxiety, anger and depression. He is also in need of a PS5 console in order to keep his leagues going. Madden, college football, rocket league far cry, gta, red dead, and fallout are the most popular for Alex and most of the discord community. He’s one of the best people I know. I really mean and believe that. He cares, he helps, he listens when others, especially his fellow vets need him and a lot of that communication is during gaming sessions. We’ve been married 26 years. Over those years I’ve learned to love football, soccer and UFC and he’s learned to like my British crime shows and cooking so we have things to talk about and connect through. We are best friends and while we may both struggle emotionally and mentally which affects our relationship at times we neither believe in giving up. I just want him to continue to help himself and be able to help fellow veterans with their challenges. I know some wives or people in general don’t understand how gaming can help mental health but it does. Any help for these men and women is so appreciated by me and I know from them as well. It’s hard to write this. I get really emotional thinking what they’ve been through and what they’ve given of themselves for all of us. Thank you for this wonderful idea you created as well as you passion and commitment to helping others. ---Erin

One of our favorite types of nominations to receive is those from friends and family of Veterans. The reason why is because it's so good to read someone else's accounting of their nominee, and more than that, we love it when people see their loved ones and something they enjoy and want to get them something for it. Thank you, Erin, for reaching out to Stack Up and telling us about Alejandro so we could get him a console and games sent out. Your care means we were able to help a Veteran who loves video games.

Thanks too, for the photo reply!

Nscout45 sponsored Alejandro's Supply Crate. Nscout45 plays DayZ and likes to just have fun and game with his friends. Check him out on Twitch.

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