Meet the Disabled Florida Vet Who's Getting a New House in Smyrna

Operation: Soldier At Ease, a local organization which is building an ADA-compliant home in Smyrna for a disabled veteran and his family, will soon host the Bride On A Budget Expo coming up on March 14, 2015 at the American Legion Post 160 in Smyrna. Admission is free and the event will feature many vendors coming from different areas of wedding planning. Wedding dresses and other formal wear will also be available. A portion of the proceeds will benefit OSAE.

Zaxbys on Spring Road in Smyrna held a Spirit Night for the organization on Feb. 24 and will donate a portion of the evening’s revenue to OSAE.

OSAE has attended and distributed books at 14 Yellow Ribbon events in the last three months. The service men and women have been grateful for our book “Understanding Conflict - A Resource For The Military Family”. We have now given out over 10,000 books at no cost to the warriors.

The King Springs Elementary Beta Club has worked with OSAE to raise awareness about our mission and have been representatives for the organization, getting our books signed with notes of appreciation for those who served and raising $400 toward the purchase of appliances for the house.

The house is well under way and OSAE has a very excited soldier and his wife waiting to come here to live.

Speaking of that soldier, let’s formally introduce him to the community.

SPC Charles ”Chuck” Raymond Fuller, III - U.S. Army - Orlando, Florida

Chuck grew up in Northampton, PA, where he liked to play war games with his friends and listen to the stories his grandfather would tell him about World War II. He loved hearing about Japan and the South Pacific. His grandfather had fought valiantly and was wounded as a Sea Bee, so it was only natural that Chuck would follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and enlist in the U.S. Army.

Chuck went to Iraq as part of a Civil Affairs Special Operations Unit. Not only did he work to rebuild the country through infrastructure projects, but also to rebuild relations with the Iraqis by seeking to win over their hearts and minds.In August 2004, he was in the Foreign Operating Base when it took a rocket hit.

Parts of the building fell, hitting him on the head, leading to a traumatic brain injury. Undeterred, he patched himself up and carried on his mission. Over time, his legs began to go numb, and he began to experience some dizziness.

Finally, a year later, he went to the VA. Since then, the headaches and dizziness have progressed to seizures, which require Chuck to have 24 hour supervision. The leg numbness turned out to be from lower back problems. He now uses a walker or cane. He also deals with some hearing loss and PTSD. Chuck’s wife is his caregiver.

The couple have 5 adult children, 4 sons and a daughter. Sadly, Chuck’s youngest son passed away last January. Another of their sons, as well as his wife and two year old child, have moved in with Chuck to help with his care. Chuck is thankful for his family’s support and the joy his grandson brings.