Our founder and Executive Director Michele Ladd is a mother of two Veterans and knows all too well the struggles of her sons as they transitioned out of the Military. Also, being the daughter of a deceased US Air Force LT Col who died of complications of Agent Orange, she became extremely passionate about raising awareness to the challenges our brave men and women are faced with.
In 2017 Michele purchased the first Hero Mobile and planned an 8000-mile tour around the country to thank American heroes for their sacrifices and services. Michele visited National Guards, Veteran Organizations, and Veteran Owned Businesses.
After 5 months of this tour, Michele heard hundreds of stories of trauma, PTSD, divorces and sadly, many suicides. Michele says the sacrifices she made such as extreme loneliness, spending nights in Walmart parking lots and truck stops, multiple break downs, having to empty her tanks and with multiple injuries, she would do it all over again.
In 2020 Michele started to meet mothers that lost their sons and daughters to suicide and started a Faith Based Facebook group to offer the mothers peer support. Today there are 125 mothers in the group. If you know of a mother of veteran suicide, please direct them to http://facebook.com/groups/mothersofveteransuicide
In 2018 Michele met her now husband Randy Schue. Michele told Randy, a Navy Veteran that if he fell in love with her, he needed to know that she is a "gypsy", and she will drag him all over the country to help her heroes. Randy sold his home, took an early retirement and in 2021 they were married, and Randy joined Michele in this life she calls "Protectors HOPE" tour.
Michele was self-funded and encouraged to form a nonprofit so in 2019 National Veteran Resources was founded.
Michele and Randy have met thousands of Veterans and their families and do everything they can to prevent suicide while offering love and support to the families left behind.
Since 2019 we have assisted 320 Veterans and their families with resources and healing retreats. In addition, more than 20 children of Veteran Suicide have received clothing and special occasion gifts. We have traveled over 175,000 miles YTD.
Here are a few of the news reports as we travel the country:
Columbia, SC News: https://www.wltx.com/article/features/hero-mobile-veterans-mental-health/101-c5960409-2351-4cb6-b3e2-8d06d0d20ea8
San Antonio, TX News: https://www.ksat.com/news/ny-woman-traveling-across-country-to-help-veteran-makes-stop-in-sa
Louisville, KY https://www.wlky.com/article/woman-traveling-across-country-stops-in-louisville-to-help-veterans/28983112 .
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Program Director MOVS4Vets
Executive Director
Public Director and Marketing
Chief Fundraiser
James is a disabled veteran with 10 years of experience in the United States Navy. He served aboard the USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) where he was deployed 5 times. After being honorably discharged in 2007, James has held several positions in different industries including engineering, finance, energy, management consulting and early-stage startup companies.
James joined Mothers of Veteran Suicide in July of 2023 as the company’s Chief Fundraiser. He has a passion for helping veterans and their families because he himself has struggled with similar issues post Naval service.
James has an extensive network and resources for fundraising efforts.
James holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Massachusetts Boston and an MBA from Babson College.
James resides in South Florida with his wife Laurie.
Copyright © 2023 Mothers of Veteran Suicide
403 W Alexander St.
St Marys, GA 31558
a 501(c) 3 Non-Profit Organization
EIN: 84-2203745
All Rights Reserved.