OUR BOARD MEMBERS

Bob and Susy Velloza are the best friends I’ve ever had that I wish I never had to meet. Their son, Specialist Jake Velloza, and I served together In Iraq. On May 2nd, 2009 Jake was killed-in-action along with Specialist Jeremiah McCleery. I served as the Unit Representative. Alone with Jake, I pinned his last ribbons to his uniform and then promised him I would take care of his parents.
 

Colonel Desiree Soumoy, a native of Jake’s home county, volunteered to be the Casualty Assistance Officer to ensure the sacred duties were done right. That’s how we met. We both continued to carry out casualty operations over the next few years. Our experiences in performing those duties shaped our drive to honor our Fallen by doing all we can for their loved ones.
 

With the Vellozas and far too many other Gold Star Families, getting access to care for grief counseling and depression treatment was astonishingly difficult. The VA was created “to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.” There is no provision for parents, siblings, or spouses who later remarry.
 

I built Compassion Neuroscience to do right by people who deserve better. Here we understand duty. Here we keep our promises. This is Compassion Neuroscience’s promise to you:
 

We will provide treatment to the immediate family of our Nation’s Fallen for free, for life.

If you would like to support our mission, we rely on your tax-deductible donation.
 

Russ Toll
Chairman, Heroes in Mind Foundation