Tim Burley (Tanker Tim) is the CEO and founder of Welcome Home Vet. As a veteran he has spent many years at aiding transitioning veterans. His success in community organizing to engage his vision has resulted in a mission and purpose that is going national.
Welcome Home Vet, now in its early stages, is a proactive, all-encompassing reintegration program for veterans. Burley has an idealistic portrait for the future that includes introducing veterans to the program at the point of induction as opposed to on their way out, as well as pushing for legislative changes. The program, based in Hutchinson, wants to place veterans in McLeod County communities, which according to Burley are great for veterans due to the close-knit nature of small towns.
“PTSD is rampant among veterans,” Burley said. “It’s that 22 number,” he’s trying to extinguish — 22 being the number of veterans who commit suicide every day, a highly stigmatized and politicized topic, Burley said. Between his resources and governmental resources, Burley thinks he and fellow volunteers can make an impactful difference in the lives of veterans. Welcome Home Vet aims at a comprehensive reintegration plan to reduce on stressors coming out of the military, a trigger for PTSD episodes according to Burley. It includes resources for employment, educational, grants and loans, opportunities, life skills, spiritual needs, environment and health concerns, budget analysis, basic needs and access to local resources like realtors and insurance agents.
Welcome Home Vet isn’t limited to or by regulations and stipulations. Each case can be given the unique, expedient attention it deserves. If a veteran is having suicidal thoughts, Burley said an appointment at the VA months down the line could be too late. Burley, who’s experienced and witnessed setbacks of all shapes and sizes, has plans to grow and expand the programs he’s involved with to help veterans in even more ways, and he doesn’t see an end in sight.
Burley battled adversity five years ago when he was airlifted from Hutchinson to a hospital in St. Cloud after a close bout with a heart attack. Doctors couldn’t believe he lived. When asked why he continues, at 52 years old, to be so deeply entrenched in service to
others, Burley cited faith, his love for helping people, and his Command Sergeant Major during his time in the army. Above all, he said, “God tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘You lost half your heart, now go fill up your soul.’”