Nikole Babb, [email protected]
Joker is a seven-year-old German Shepard who lovingly accompanies his proprietor, Alan Fitzgerald, in all places he goes. He likes to play, trot round city and even higher, he loves his veteran companion. Fitzgerald says he might not nonetheless be round if it weren’t for Joker. Together, the duo might be discovered serving El Dorado VFW Post #1174 of their spare time. More just lately, the 2 have been acknowledged nationally by the VFW #StillServing Campaign in recognition of Fitzgerald’s ardour to volunteer years after serving to point out different veterans that there’s extra to civilian life than they might suppose.
Fitzgerald started his navy profession within the Army the place he served from 1987-1992 in Operation Desert Storm as a Combat Engineer. Once his time to serve lively was up, he was within the reserves for quite a few years till he determined to reenlist in 2005. From there, he served for 5 years in Operation Enduring Freedom within the medical area earlier than he determined it was time to retire from navy life for good. Fitzgerald additionally served on the El Dorado Fire Fighting Department from 1991-1993.
After returning to civilian life, Fitzgerald struggled with PTSD, despair, and anxiousness from deployments. That’s when he acquired his first service canine, Midnight, who was additionally a German Shepard breed. After shedding his companion in a tragedy, Fitzgerald discovered himself with extra anxiousness than earlier than. After listening to his story, Midwest Battle Buddies of Wichita lined the funds to present Joker to him. Joker was bought when he was 5 months old from Protection, a service canine breeder primarily based out of Southeast Kan.
Having a service canine with him, Fitzgerald was in a position to keep off of medicines essential to hold his despair and anxiousness away. Joker helps him when he’s nearing a panic attack and may sense a change in his temper simply. When this stuff close to, Joker helps his proprietor by distracting him and alerting him. This means, Fitzgerald can keep away from these emotions and ideas earlier than they overcome him.
“After losing Midnight in such a tragic way, I’m not sure I’d still be around without Joker,” mentioned Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald enjoys spending time taking good care of his mom and volunteering for the VFW as Quartermaster and on the Celebration of Freedom Committee. While attending a music live performance, Fitzgerald was approached by VFW Post #1174 Commander Steven Shaft who invited him to affix the VFW. Even although Fitzgerald thought the VFW was just for older gents, he nonetheless tried it out and by no means left since. The most essential mission of the VFW for him is to assist different veterans.
“As soon as I walked through the door, the Quartermasater at the time welcomed me and started talking to me like we’d known each other for years, and I’d never met him before” mentioned Fitzgerald. “At that moment, I thought, ‘man, I’ve never felt so welcomed in my life. So I decided to become a lifetime member. Since then, I’ve learned so much about the VFW and everything we do to help other veterans.”
Recently, Post #1174 donated the funds to ship a number of Remington High School college students as guardians on Kansas Honor Flights with veterans who might not have household to go together with them. They additionally regularly donate to native foster care and little one welfare service supplier, TFI Family Services.
He now serves at Post #1174 as Post Quartermaster, changing into extra concerned than he thought he ever would. He now oversees funds and communications alongside Post Mascot Joker. For their service collectively, they have been featured on the VFW nationwide web site. They have been additionally featured on the recent Celebration of Freedom in El Dorado the place they marched alongside the parade and gave a speech over the significance of service dogs.
