Iraq War veteran selling medal to help make ends meet
RENTON, Wash. -- A Renton man and Iraq War veteran just made an anguished decision.
Josh Crowley is unemployed, in debt and desperate enough to sell his Army Achievement Medal on eBay to help make ends meet. In three days, it goes to the highest bidder.
The medal is a treasured possession, recognizing outstanding service in Iraq.
"It's really hard, but it's not going to be worth much if I'm living on the streets," Crowley said tearfully. "But it means a lot because it took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to earn it."
Crowley was a mechanic with the 497th Transportation Company out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. While his job was maintaining vehicles, he says his year -ong deployment also including driving a gun truck and scouting for IED's.
He came home with a bad back, nightmares and anxiety and has a PTSD claim pending.
After losing one job and seeing his unemployment benefits run out, Josh enrolled at ITT Technical Institute, where he's studying graphic design. But he's in a dire situation.
The latest numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the overall unemployment rate for veterans is 12.1 percent. But for male veterans ages 18-24, like Crowley, it's a staggering 29.1 percent.
"I have a lot of pride and it's hard to ask for help," Crowley said. "Friends and family have done a lot and helped all they could. I've made some bad decisions financially and it's been hard to recover from that."
Josh hopes by selling the medal, he can pay down his debt and at the same time, bring attention to the struggles that come after war.
"The wars may be over, but the war at home for vets doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon," he said. "I haven't seen nearly half of what some of these other soldiers have seen. It's hard for me. I can't imagine what it's like for these guys."
Crowley is a stand-up comedian and is getting support from fellow comics. There is a benefit at Grit City Comedy Club on July 21st that will feature all veteran comedians.
Half the proceeds will go to Josh.
The eBay bidding on his medal ends on June 29th.
Link to eBay auction
Josh Crowley is unemployed, in debt and desperate enough to sell his Army Achievement Medal on eBay to help make ends meet. In three days, it goes to the highest bidder.
The medal is a treasured possession, recognizing outstanding service in Iraq.
"It's really hard, but it's not going to be worth much if I'm living on the streets," Crowley said tearfully. "But it means a lot because it took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to earn it."
Crowley was a mechanic with the 497th Transportation Company out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. While his job was maintaining vehicles, he says his year -ong deployment also including driving a gun truck and scouting for IED's.
He came home with a bad back, nightmares and anxiety and has a PTSD claim pending.
After losing one job and seeing his unemployment benefits run out, Josh enrolled at ITT Technical Institute, where he's studying graphic design. But he's in a dire situation.
The latest numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the overall unemployment rate for veterans is 12.1 percent. But for male veterans ages 18-24, like Crowley, it's a staggering 29.1 percent.
"I have a lot of pride and it's hard to ask for help," Crowley said. "Friends and family have done a lot and helped all they could. I've made some bad decisions financially and it's been hard to recover from that."
Josh hopes by selling the medal, he can pay down his debt and at the same time, bring attention to the struggles that come after war.
"The wars may be over, but the war at home for vets doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon," he said. "I haven't seen nearly half of what some of these other soldiers have seen. It's hard for me. I can't imagine what it's like for these guys."
Crowley is a stand-up comedian and is getting support from fellow comics. There is a benefit at Grit City Comedy Club on July 21st that will feature all veteran comedians.
Half the proceeds will go to Josh.
The eBay bidding on his medal ends on June 29th.
Link to eBay auction
I hope Josh can find his way out of this. A <a href="http://affordavetac.com">renton vet</a> had a very similar case. He was able to get back to school and turn his life around. Do you know if Josh is married or has kids?