*Author’s Note* – This story mentions thoughts of suicide. If you or anybody you know is in crisis/struggling, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at any time to connect with trained counselors.
OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) – At 19 years old, Jorel Wester joined the Coast Guard. And before his boot camp finished, he was sent to help during the September 11th terrorist attacks.
“[They] took us on boats to Ground Zero, and we were taking people off boats and we were taking them off Manhattan, onto boats, kinda like my welcome to the military, welcome to the coast guard,” Wester said.
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His first mission was to save people when the Twin Towers fell. Soon after, he trained for search and rescue.
“I was trained to take a 47 motor surfboard out, and pull people back from the worst of the worst…it felt defining, I thought, this is what I am meant to do,” Wester said.
Through performing search and rescue missions, he learned that not everyone can be saved.
“You may not save everybody, and the problem is that it was and still is talked about; nobody comes up to you and says you may not save everybody,” Wester said.
Wester said it began to weigh on him mentally.
“I started to build up these boxes, like this is affecting me, put it in a box and put it away, put it in a box and put it away, these boxes start to stack up,” Wester said.
In 2005, he was sent to provide relief during Hurricane Katrina, where he witnessed situations he will never forget.
“The dude pulled a revolver out of his pants and shot someone for a bottle of water,” Wester said. “I had a boat full of it, and I didn’t care. I had tons of it; that stuff doesn’t go away.”
The weight of his service grew heavier, and Wester was discharged after 13 years in the Coast Guard. Alone, he reached a breaking point.
“I didn’t feel like it was there for me, so I made the decision it was time to end my life.”
But moments before that decision, while eating, he noticed something that changed everything.
“On the side of the cup was an advertisement for K9s for Warriors, which helped veterans with PTSD and connected them with service dogs,” Wester said.
Wester called the number on the cup.
“It was all over from there. I broke down, I told him what I was doing, and I told him what my plan was, and his main goal was to make sure I was safe,” Wester said.
After nearly a year of receiving help and being diagnosed with PTSD, Wester was paired with a service dog named Betsy.
“I don’t think I can picture life without her, that’s just something that doesn’t feel like me anymore,” Wester said.
Wester says Betsy helped him escape ‘rock bottom.’
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“I had literally hit the bottom,” Wester said. “After a conversation, a sandwich, and a wonderful dog, I was able to find my way out, and I am happy now.”
Now, Wester is sharing his story so other veterans know they are not alone in their experience, hoping they will also find help.
*Anyone in crisis can call, text or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at any time to connect with trained counselors.*
