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Michael served in the US Army from 1985-1992 as an Infantryman. He deployed to Iraq during the first Gulf War in August 1990-April 1991. After his discharge in 1992, he returned home to Boston, MA where he found himself homeless shortly thereafter. He started drinking and drugging and [occasionally] held employment although nothing was like the military itself. He was arrested several times for breaking and entering, taunting police officers, and drug possession. In 2007, a VA doctor slammed him up against a wall and told him he was going to do a program, it was his umpteenth time in detox. From the Brockton VA, he went to Victory Farm where he started to turn his life around. After leaving Victory Farm, in 2010, he met his [now] wife on the flight deck at the Northampton VA. In 2011 he started a Facebook page geared towards veterans and in 2014 started his own business selling veteran gear. Early in 2015, he decided that he enjoyed helping veterans and began thinking about starting a farm of his own with his wife. At the end of the same year, they settled on a property in Gilsum, NH where the DV Farm is located.
CEO/Founder
Andrew served as a United States Marine Combat Engineer from 2003 to 2008. Andrew deployed to Iraq twice between 2004 and 2006 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. As a Marine Combat Engineer, Andrew learned many skills that help him with daily activities on the DV Farm such-as various types of building techniques for buildings and bridges, dropping standing timber to construct roads and fields among many other skills. Outside of the military Andrew has worked in the construction field for more than 20 years. His 20 years’ experience includes site prep work, building concrete and block foundations, stick frame and timer frame construction giving him the knowledge to work on every part of construction from the ground up. Andrew works with, leads and teaches the Veterans skills needed to use any tools and equipment we have on site. Andrew is the Deputy Chief for the volunteer fire department in his home town as well as a Deputy Fire Warden, and sometimes is called off the farm for emergencies. He has also been on the board of other non-profit organizations in the past and has had training has a Veterans Service Rep which allows him to help Veterans with service clams to the VA.
FARM MANAGER
John served with the US Army as an MP (Military Policeman) from 1976-1979 where he served two years in Panama and then ended his Active Duty with a few months in New Mexico at White Sands Missile Range. He then went on to serve with the Boston Police Department, moving on to Claremont, NH Police Department where he started out as a Patrolman and moved up the ranks to Detective Sergeant. From 1985-1987, he served with the New Hampshire National Guard where he was with the 3/172 Mountain Infantry where he was a part of a Scout Platoon and was a Recon/Scout Leader. (At that time, this was the only Mountain Infantry in the country.) Later on, in 1993, he became the Chief of Police for Ludlow, Vt. Afterwards, coming into 1995, John worked with Electrolux and the proceeded to become owner/operator of his own businesses which included: The Vacuum Store, Woolly Bear (Organic Children's Clothing & Toy Store), and the Double Bubble Carpet & Floor Care. Later on, from 2006-2010, he went to Baghdad, Iraq where he was with the 237th Combat Police Company for the New Hampshire National Guard. Today, John is permanently and totally disabled as he serves on the DV Farm Board of Directors where he helps veterans as part of his position. He also seeks out donations and important items from places that otherwise are not readily available or easily procured.
James served on active duty in the United States Army from 1983–1993, when he was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant for service related injuries that occurred while participating in Operation Desert Storm. Since leaving the service, he has held positions on several service organization and civilian boards. Besides currently serving as a member of the DV Farm Board of Directors -- he is also the President of the Brookhaven Lake Association Board in the community where he resides. James is a current life member of the Disabled American Veterans, the VFW, and a member in good standing with the American Legion in Keene New Hampshire. James has served on previous leadership boards in his place of employment, where he negotiates multi-million dollar contracts and maintains those contractual relationships for a national company. James also served as a member of the VFW Post Community Outreach and Fundraising boards in Odessa, Texas. James is a past Post Quartermaster for the VFW in Hinsdale, New Hampshire and is a life member of the VFW's National Home for children.
James served from 1984-1988 in the United States Marine Corps where he was honorably discharged. After his service, he went to work at his local Sheriffs Office where he served his community for 15 years when he retired. He is a crisis counselor (moderator) with the Dysfunctional Veterans Facebook page. While also working on the DV Farm Board of Directors, James is also a Moderator on the Facebook page, Dysfunctional Veterans, where he engages the community (Veterans, Active Duty, Reserves, National Guard, Etc.) that may have questions or need someone to reach-out to at any given time. He is also raising his grandson along with his wife (Rebecca) of 20 years. He is now employed at a chain grocery store where he is the grocery manager.
