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New Car, New Life
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New Car, New Life
Marine veteran Rose Sanchez has worked hard to rebuild her life in the wake of PTSD. In March, her supporters presented her with a surprise gift to help her on her way.
By Sarah Dressler, Veterans News Magazine
Lance Cpl. Rose Sanchez is a Marine veteran who served two combat tours as a logistics vehicle system operator. She drove allterrain tactical support vehicles in Diwaniyah and Fallujah, Iraq, and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif., while stateside.
According to Patrick Eagle Staff, veteran outreach specialist with the Native American Rehabilitation Association, Sanchez developed post-traumatic stress disorder and “has been affected by ... the things that come with that.”
“She’s been struggling putting her life back together but she’s doing a great job and I’m really proud of her,” Eagle Staff said. “She’s really an excellent person. She works hard to accomplish her goals.”
In March, she was chosen to receive a car from the “Recycled Rides” program, in which insurers and auto body collision repairers collaborate to fix up and donate vehicles to deserving people who need them. She was presented with her new ride at the Portland Women’s Expo, and Veterans News Magazine was there to hear about this life-changing moment in her own words.
Rose Sanchez was the recipient of new wheels through the Recycled Rides program, made possible by contributions from GEICO, McCollum Auto Body and Enterprise.
Veterans News: “So getting this vehicle today really is a huge step.”
Rose Sanchez: “To get my kids to relocate down here, I have to stay sober, get a vehicle, and then next on my list is to get my kids to join me. I’m almost done with my outpatient treatment. I’m ready to graduate in April. So when I graduate that, I’m going to start working on going to school.”
VN: “What do you want to go to school for?”
RS: “I wanted to go for culinary arts, but I was told they’re not hiring as much so I’m thinking about something else.”
VN: “Well, people always need to eat, so there’ll always be a job!”
RS: “I would like to get my own little food truck going.”
VN: “Yeah! What kind of cuisine would you serve?”
RS: “I actually like experimenting a lot. Most places, they always do the same menu, same menu, same menu, and sometimes, I just feel like whatever I feel like on the day, so the menu would change all the time.”
VN: “I’d like a food truck like that! It’d be fun.”
RS: *laughs*
VN: “Let’s talk a little bit about your service. What made you decide to join the military?”
RS: “My grandfather was a Marine. He served in Vietnam. He died in 1999. He didn’t get to see me graduate or go into the Marines. I always wanted to go. He instilled family and I love the way he raised us, to be so close to family. I was connected and I wanted to be just like him.”
VN: “You certainly are honoring his legacy. What is your next step from here?”
RS: “I do want to go to school again. I want to show my children that it’s good to get your education, no matter how late or how old you will be. I’m sitting on one year of sobriety as well.”
VN: “That’s wonderful! You should be very proud.”
RS: “Thank you. I am.”
Sanchez’s car was donated with contributions from GEICO, McCollum Auto Body and Enterprise. For more information about the Native American Rehabilitation Association, visit their website at www.naranorthwest.org.
