Brian Hoyland

U.S. Army

Their Story

The Veteran I’m Honoring is My father. Military toxic chemical exposures contributed to devastating autoimmune and systemic disease, eventually destroying his heart and requiring a heart transplant. Yet disability did not end his service. He became a psychotherapist serving veterans, trauma survivors, people with addiction, the homeless, and others too often forgotten. His body paid the price of service, but suffering never took his courage, compassion, faith, or determination to keep serving.

“My favorite memory is really thousands of memories joined together: watching my dad continue, undefeated in what mattered most, day after day, as surely as the sun continues to shine. Illness took his health, strength, and independence, but it could not take his faith, love, courage, or desire to serve others. He taught me that strength is not escaping suffering unchanged, but refusing to let suffering decide who you become or what good you still have to give.”