“Heroes Also Need Heroes”–Robbed of a Chance at Combat, Marine Joins Another Fight
The reality that my time in uniform had ended took over every waking thought I had. How close I’d come to living my dream became part of the torture.
About Sherman Gillums Jr.
Sherman Gillums Jr. served in the U.S. Marines for 12 years between 1990 and 2002. He received an honorable discharge at the rank of chief warrant officer two after suffering a career-ending injury. His awards include two Navy/Marine Commendation Medals, Navy/Marine Achievement Medal, Drill Instructor Ribbon, and the Global War on Terrorism Service medal. After his discharge, Gillums began a career in veteran advocacy, which included work as an appellate representative at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals in Washington and serving as executive director for Paralyzed Veterans of America, chief strategy and advocacy officer for AMVETS, and currently chief strategy and impact officer for National Alliance on Mental Illness. He has testified before Congress as an expert witness and appeared on national media as an influential leader in veteran advocacy. Gillums is a new member of The War Horse’s board of directors.
