A community came together for an unaccompanied veteran who passed away, and in that process, another veteran discovered their new mission.
Tour of Duty is a new non-profit that will serve active duty, veterans, and unaccompanied service members. I spoke with Cortlin Martin about this adventure and what he hopes will come of it.
Can you tell us more about how this all started?
“I found out the hard way back in March of 2020 that there are more unaccompanied vets than most realize. Not only do we want to make sure that no veteran or active duty is unaccompanied. We want to make sure our veterans and active duty have somewhere to turn when they’re struggling. When I got out of the Navy in September of 2017, I was lost. I struggled daily with the loss of the brother- and sisterhood. You see, I didn’t leave the military by choice. I was medically separated which left me with the sense that I had left something unfinished. Now I know what it meant. Being a God fearing man I turned to prayer and family. Everything I was getting back led me to doing something for veterans, active duty military, and unaccompanied service members that meant something.”
Who do you plan to help? And how?
“We help active-duty military, veterans, families of those, and unaccompanied members (prior or active duty military who die with no family or minimal family). As I’ve said before no one who has served our country should be laid to rest alone!
“Back in March, we had an unaccompanied Marine, I caught wind of this via social media and ran with it. I did interviews, I made phone calls, I did live Facebook videos, and I used word of mouth. It was very hard to even get people to call me back or to play any part in it. Being a non-profit will change this greatly! We will be able to purchase radio air time, flyers, posters, announcements at local events. Also, at one point we will have a large community that will help spread the word.”
Where do you see Tour of Duty in the next 2 to 5 years?
“I see Tour of Duty well on it’s way to being national, having a program in the East, West and Central US. I see us becoming known throughout not just the veteran and active duty community, but throughout civilian communities as well.
“I see civilians signing up to host a veteran: maybe they’re down on their luck, maybe they need a uniform for work, maybe they just need a friend. We want to connect the communities and help these relationships grow. [The first] 2 years are our growth years: getting our name out, working on sponsors and donors, as well as long term assistants that will continue to help.”
What support do you need right now?
“As of right now, it is a monetary need. We need funds to get this rolling, [to cover a consultant helping with 501c3 formation, administrative and legal fees, licensing, and then the additional] funds will enable us to purchase shirts, hats and other items to sell [as fundraising items]. We need to be able to buy, or have donated, items for raffles and auctions to bring in some funds. Once we have funds we can do more with vets and active duty in the community to help build relationships with events such as BBQ’s, events with live music, banquets and so much more.”
How people can get involved?
“They can help with [making] connections in the community, meaning help us connect to veterans in need, help us connect with people willing to donate, they can host an event, they can take a vet or active duty out to lunch or dinner. Once we’re up and operational with a bit more capacity and fewer restrictions (due to COVID), there will be even more to be done, such as fundraising events they can volunteer at, bbq’s they can cook at, toy drives they can support, there will be plenty people can do!
“The best way to stay in touch is via Facebook or email [tourofdutyed@gmail.com] at this point. We’re currently working on our webpage, which is coming along great. When that is up and operating that will be another way for folks to stay in touch as well as keep up with events.”
Any final thoughts or comments?
“We currently need a lot of support to get us off the ground. This is very time consuming and stressful. We’re not just one person we’re a team. Our team is great!” The team currently consists of Cortlin, Jose Solis, Noel Martin, Melissa Kenady, Jonathan Handall, Steve Elder, and Chantz Webb.
“Go to our Facebook page, like and share the page. [We also] have a GoFundMe going currently; people can also share and like the GFM and, if they can, donate!”
Closing comments from Cortlin: “Tour of Duty will happen: it might not be today, it might not be tomorrow, but just because we don’t have the funds doesn’t mean our team isn’t here to support! When someone joins the military, they write a blank check to this country and its people.
“We’re here to support those that wrote that check, and to ensure those whose checks were cashed are supported to the fullest!
The cashing off that check isn’t always with their life: it can be with the loss of a limb, mental health, or maybe the loss of their family because they came back so different.
“WE are here! We will support! We will have their six!”
