A Veteran Sold His Army Medal on eBay to Try to Support His Family
June 22, 2012 11:31 AM
We see this way to often. War veterans coming home and unable to find work along with the rest of us looking for work. That’s the story for a 43-year-old veteran Bill Shephard.
Bill is from New Jersey. He served in the A Troop 102nd Cavalry in Iraq and earned a combat medal. When he returned to his family in 2009 he coulnd’t find a job. He decided to go back to school and even started his own landscaping business becasue he couldn’t find regular work.
He was able to collect unemployment, but that ran out last October. If it were just Bill needing shelter, food, and supplies it would be a lot easier, but Bill is trying to support his wife and three kids. He got so fed up and frustrated he decided to sell a sentimental item of his on eBay. Bill listed his Army medal on Monday.
“I served my country from 2008 until 2009 in support of operation Iraqi freedom. When I returned home I immediately went back to work at BestBuy to support my family, BestBuy closed the department that I worked in so, like many Americans, I found myself on unemployment. I enrolled in college to get a degree and successfully completed and obtained a two year network management certificate with a 3.6 GPA. When my unemployment benefits became exhausted recently this past October. I felt that being a recent war veteran and college graduate finding a job would be easier than most., I was very wrong, I am still unemployed and have three beautiful young children that are counting on me for support, I have used numerous VA agencies to help seek employment and also have resumes posted with all the top career resume posting websites. I have applied at so many jobs I couldn’t list them all. I have now decided to sell my award I received during my deployment in hopes that it will generate a generous financial response with the intent on using the income to support of my wife and three wonderful children that sacrificed alot while I was away.”
As you could expect, peoples interest grew when they saw the posting and people started calling, emailing offering him money, clothing, and even jobs! Which is awesome! I love seeing others help others. Then the bidding started.
The auction ended last night and his medal got 62 bids and sold for $5,200! Way to go America! Bill plans on using that money to get better equipment for his landscaping business. Bill, welcome home and hope things turn around for you and your family! We need to see more of this happening to support our fellow citizens, returning soldiers in need!
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