Sgt. Danny Facto wanted to help others with PTSD

The Patriot Guard Riders are heroes to many military and veterans families across the country. The family of Sgt. Danny Facto sent a letter about the man they would be escorting to his final rest. It just broke my heart. Sgt. Facto had PTSD. While he was in his words "eating him alive" he wanted to do whatever he could to help others. (These men and women are simply amazing that while carrying such a heavy burden they want to help others.) Please read the letter from his family and know that they all have their own stories and most of them should be told.

PGR Members,

We have been requested to attend Services for Danny Facto who lost his life on July 15th 2009 in a motorcycle accident. Danny was a 29 year old decorated Army Veteran (Sgt) with two tours in Afghanistan. He left behind a Wife (Kristen), two young children (6 and 8 years old) plus both parents. I had asked a family member for a brief bio on Danny and I will include it in this post, please take a minute to read this.



Letter from Family member


Hi Patrick,

First and foremost, I would like to thank you for being so kind and accommodating to myself and the family during this difficult time. You have been amazing, thank you.

I want to start off and tell you a little about Danny. He was originally from Arizona and joined the army the day he graduated from high school. When stationed later in Fort Drum, NY, he met his wife now, Kristen George, now Kristen Facto. During his two tours in Afghanistan and back, Kristen and Danny had their two beautiful kids. Tia, who will be eight next week and Sidney, who turned 6 in March. During his stay in Afghanistan. he sustained a head injury and an elbow injury. Because of his immense courage and the injuries he sustained, he was awarded a purple heart.

After he came back from his second tour due to family problems, he started figuring out what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. While suffering major PTSD, he realized this could be his calling. He once said to me, this PTSD, eats you up alive, it destroys you even though you're home and safe. He attended Onondaga Community College in 2007 and received an Associates Degree. Wanting to continue his education and become a social worker, he started at Syracuse University. Within studying at OCC he was still trying to get the cause out for PTSD. He turned to Channel 9 news in 2006 to get the word out and ask the community for support while soldiers come back from the war.

read more here
Danny Facto, 29, OEF Veteran, Bridgeport NY, 23 JUL 09

Veterans and Families Foundation
Let's Get Homecoming Right This Time!

The Veterans and Families Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit community service and support organization, founded and directed by Veterans, parents, grandparents, family members, employers, mental health professionals, academics, philanthropists and community leaders.

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive how the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their Nation"
...George Washington November 10, 1781
http://www.veteransandfamilies.org/home.html