Help a Disabled Marine Veteran Rebuild After a Housing Crisis

Help a Disabled Marine Veteran Relocate and Rebuild After a Housing Crisis

My name is Glen, and I’m a retired United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant. I proudly served my country for 20 years, including three combat tours in Iraq and a year-long deployment to Afghanistan. During my military career, I earned the Combat Action Ribbon and a military decoration with the Combat “V” device.

Today, I’m a 100% service-connected disabled veteran, a college student, and someone working hard to build a meaningful future after military service.

I’m reaching out because an ongoing housing situation has forced me to relocate unexpectedly, creating significant financial expenses that I was not prepared to take on.

I now have until December 7, 2026, to move out of my current apartment, and I’m asking for assistance securing a new home and getting back on my feet.

How This Situation Began

For approximately two and a half months, I’ve experienced repeated and distressing disturbances involving the apartment directly above mine, which is occupied by a younger, active-duty United States Marine Corps sergeant and his spouse.

When I first moved into my apartment, this Marine and I had a friendly conversation and shared a couple of beers. During that conversation, I told him about my military background and that I live with combat-related PTSD.

He was aware of my PTSD long before the problems between us began.

Initially, I had no reason to believe there would be any problems between us.

The situation changed following a disagreement involving their dogs using our shared outdoor deck area as a bathroom. I raised concerns about the dog waste and the cleanliness of an area we both use. What should have been a simple matter of maintaining a clean, sanitary shared space turned into an unpleasant verbal exchange.

I wasn’t looking for a confrontation. I simply wanted the shared area kept clean and sanitary.

Following that disagreement, I began experiencing repeated loud disturbances coming from the upstairs apartment that I had not experienced before.

These disturbances have included forceful banging against walls, heavy stomping across the floor, and doors being slammed with considerable force. Some incidents have occurred during the early morning hours while I’m trying to sleep, and the banging has sometimes been strong enough to rattle items inside my apartment.

What makes this especially troubling is the pattern and timing of these disturbances.

I do not hear comparable disturbances coming from any of the other apartments around me. My concerns have consistently involved this one upstairs apartment, and these problems did not exist before the disagreement.

I understand that some noise is part of apartment living. I’ve lived in apartments before, and I know the difference between ordinary household activity and repeated, unusually loud disturbances.

What makes this situation particularly upsetting is that the Marine living above me already knew about my combat-related PTSD.

Given his prior knowledge of my condition, the timing of the disturbances following our disagreement, and the repeated nature of the banging, stomping, and slamming, I have become deeply concerned that some of this behavior may be intentional and retaliatory.

I cannot know his intentions with certainty, but the circumstances have left me concerned that my vulnerability may be disregarded or deliberately exploited.

My Attempts to Resolve the Situation

For approximately two and a half months, I’ve been reporting these disturbances and trying to get the situation resolved.

I’ve contacted property management repeatedly, including submitting complaints about the ongoing banging, stomping, and slamming.

I’ve documented incidents and explained how the disturbances have affected my ability to sleep and feel comfortable in my own home.

The situation also became serious enough that I contacted the police and had officers respond to my residence.

Calling the police was not something I wanted to do, but I felt I needed assistance because the disturbances were continuing and my attempts to resolve the situation had not produced lasting results.

Despite these efforts, the disturbances have continued.

I want people to understand that I didn’t simply experience a few noisy nights and decide to move. I’ve spent approximately two and a half months trying to address this situation through the appropriate channels.

How This Has Affected My Health and Finances

As a combat veteran living with service-connected PTSD, these disturbances have significantly affected my mental health, sleep, and ability to feel comfortable in my own home.

I’ve experienced increased anxiety, disrupted sleep, and difficulty relaxing in what should be my place of rest and recovery.

The impact on my health became serious enough that my treating psychiatrist prescribed additional temporary medication to help manage my increased anxiety and sleep difficulties during this situation.

These were additional measures I needed while trying to cope with the ongoing disturbances and the stress of remaining in my apartment.

My psychiatrist also provided medical documentation supporting my need to relocate because of the effect this living environment has had on my condition.

I’ve served through multiple combat deployments, and I never expected to find myself in a situation where I would need additional medical treatment simply to cope with being in my own home.

In an effort to get away from the disturbances and find some peace, I’ve repeatedly paid for temporary lodging at hotels and other accommodations.

To date, I estimate that I’ve spent approximately $1,500 on temporary lodging while still being responsible for the rent and other expenses at my apartment.

These weren’t vacations or planned trips. They were unexpected expenses incurred because I was trying to get some rest and relief from an environment that had become increasingly difficult for me to tolerate.

Unfortunately, those temporary stays haven’t solved the underlying problem. I still have to return to my apartment, where the disturbances have continued.

The money I’ve spent on temporary accommodations is money I would otherwise have been able to put toward savings, housing expenses, and transportation.

A Resolution Has Been Reached, but Now I Have to Move

I want to be clear that property management has provided a resolution regarding my lease.

After approximately two and a half months of dealing with the disturbances, reporting incidents, seeking assistance, and obtaining medical documentation from my psychiatrist, management agreed to allow me to terminate my lease without the usual early termination penalty.

I’m grateful that an agreement was reached.

However, I now face the financial and logistical challenge of finding a new home and completing an unexpected move by December 7, 2026.

I need to locate a suitable rental, pay the required security deposit and other move-in expenses, obtain packing materials, and arrange transportation or moving assistance for my belongings.

Because of my service-connected disability, finding a quiet, stable living environment is particularly important. I’m also trying to find a home that will accommodate my 11-year-old Siberian Husky, Theo, who has been my companion for many years.

I’m not looking for anything extravagant. I’m looking for a safe, reasonably priced home where I can live peacefully, take care of my dog, and continue my education.

My Education and Future Goals

I’m currently pursuing an associate degree in Hospitality Management at Coastal Carolina Community College in North Carolina.

I’ve also been accepted to Appalachian State University, where I plan to continue my education in Hospitality and Tourism Management in 2027.

My dream is to build a career in event planning, particularly concerts, music festivals, and live entertainment.

After spending 20 years serving my country, I’m excited about pursuing a career that allows me to bring people together and create experiences that leave lasting memories.

I’ve worked hard to get to this point, and I’m determined not to let this unexpected setback derail my education or future.

Why I Also Need Help With Transportation

Before this housing situation developed, I was saving toward replacing my aging Toyota Tacoma with a reliable vehicle suitable for everyday transportation and the mountain conditions around Boone, North Carolina.

My current truck has mechanical concerns, and dependable transportation is important for attending school, managing daily responsibilities, and eventually completing my degree at Appalachian State University.

Unfortunately, the unexpected expenses associated with temporary lodging and relocating have significantly disrupted my ability to save toward that replacement.

My immediate priority is securing housing. If donations exceed my relocation needs, I hope to use additional assistance toward repairing or replacing my vehicle with dependable transportation.

Why I’m Asking for Assistance

I want to be transparent about my financial circumstances.

I receive VA disability compensation and military retirement income, and I’m grateful for those benefits. However, I also have substantial ongoing financial obligations, including family support payments and divorce-related debts.

I have continued meeting my regular financial responsibilities, including my housing expenses, while dealing with this situation.

The problem isn’t that I have no income. The problem is that I’ve been forced to absorb approximately $1,500 in unplanned temporary lodging expenses and now face the additional cost of relocating on short notice.

Between those unexpected expenses, my existing financial obligations, and the cost of establishing a new home, I simply wasn’t financially prepared for this situation.

I’m doing everything I can to find a suitable rental and make the transition responsibly.

I’m not asking anyone to take responsibility for my life. I’m asking for help with an unexpected financial setback so I can regain stability and continue working toward my future.

How Donations Will Help

Donations will be used toward:

●New housing: Security deposits, application fees, and necessary move-in expenses.

●Relocation: Moving truck rental, packing supplies, and assistance moving my furniture and belongings.

●Temporary accommodations: Additional short-term lodging if needed while securing permanent housing.

●Reliable transportation: Repairs to or replacement of my aging vehicle if funds remain after my immediate housing needs are met.

My first priority is finding a suitable home and completing my move before the deadline.

Thank You for Your Support

As a Marine, I’ve always believed in perseverance, responsibility, and looking out for one another.

Asking for help isn’t easy for me. I’ve spent much of my life taking care of responsibilities, overcoming challenges, and finding ways to move forward.

But this situation has created expenses and circumstances I never anticipated.

Whether you’re a fellow veteran, a military family member, or simply someone willing to help, I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to read my story.

Any contribution, regardless of the amount, would be deeply appreciated. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser would also mean a great deal.

My goal isn’t just to get through this move. It’s to regain stability, continue my education, and build the future I’ve been working toward.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support.

Semper Fidelis.

Glen
Gunnery Sergeant, USMC (Retired)