This week’s Veteran is Eric Chapman, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2005 – 2013. Eric was a Combat Engineer, which is an important position in keeping the infantry, armor, and flying corps on mission. Eric is a West Coast Marine via basic training in San Diego, but went to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for his engineering training. Combat engineers not only have fun blowing things up, but do dangerous things as well, like clearing minefields, building roads in the sight of the enemy, and playing their part in getting Marines to where they need to be to bring destruction on the enemy. CE’s are vital to building defendable positions to protect allied forces from enemy attack, and also take the fight to the enemy in hindering their movements as well. Put a rifle in their hands, and they are an effective warfighter just like any other Marine. Chapman spent time overseas in Okinawa, and Japan with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and on one temporary duty assignment in 2006, his team was sent to the site of a Philippine landslide on Southern Leyte where children had perished in a school. He was tasked with recovering the children and teachers who were killed, which is not pleasant; and if you have held a dead child in your arms before, you can relate to the tremendous strain it puts on your psyche. That, and coupled with combat tours in Iraq (2008 and 2009), and Afghanistan (2010), the toll can be overwhelming. In Iraq, Eric was stationed in Fallujah and Ramadi, while in Afghanistan he was in the Marjah area, in the Helmand Province, which was not so friendly at the time, and being with the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, his job was even more important during Operation Moshtarak, in keeping Allied Forces safe from enemy action. As he returned stateside Chapman served as a Marine recruiter. Following his service, Eric worked as a commercial plumber. And like many veterans who have faced tough times and situations, Chapman faced his demons right along with countless other Veterans over the years, and is now seeking the treatment to help recover to safety. He is part of Camp Valor now, and is receiving the help he needs and deserves, for Veterans who have seen things that can’t be unseen, and he wants to live a life from the stressors of previous experiences. Good Luck Eric, and Congratulations on being MCNs ‘Veteran of the Week’.