Hello, my name is Marcus Hayward, I am a wounded military veteran born and raised in New Jersey. I served in the US Army for 8 1/2 years. I joined the military back on February 24, 2004, I attend the Military Police school at Ft. Leonardwood Missouri. I graduate on July 2, 2004, I was then assigned to the 549th Military Police Company, 385th Military Police Battalion, Ft. Stewart, GA. I served as a Driver and Team Leader. In December 2005, I deployed to Mosul, Iraq in support of OIF. Well in Iraq, I completed many missions with my squad as the Commander's Personal Security Detachment. We helped refurbish and establish Iraqi Police Stations all over Mosul, Iraq. After 12 months, in November 2006, I returned home to Ft. Stewart, GA. Upon return myself and another soldier were selected above our peer to go to Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX attend the Specialized Search Dog (SSD) Course in May 2007. Upon graduation in September 2007, I was assigned to the K9 Section of HHD Detachment, 385th MP Bn, Ft. Stewart, GA. In February 2008, I deployed my with SSD Elly to FOB Warhorse, Diyala Province, Iraq. While in country I conduct over 100 missions support, Infantry, Calvary Scouts, Military Police and Special Forces Operations. While in Iraq, I reenlisted to continue my service to our great country. After another 12 months I returned back to Ft. Stewart, GA in March 2009. While home in 2009, I took a vacation to Puerto Rico, where I met my future wife Elizabeth who is from West Palm Beach, FL. In April 2010, along with my SSD Elly I deployed to Afghanistan in support of OEF. While in country I was assigned to the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force. Only July 29, 2010 while out on mission conducting clearance for the Special Forces Team I was attached to, my side by side (ATV) stuck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). I woke 2 day later on August 1st in Landstuhl Medical Center, Germany. On August 3rd I landed in Washington, DC and was transported to Walter Reed Medical Center to have my surgeries and do my rehab. From the blast in Afghanistan, I suffered a moderate Traumatic Brain Injury, serve trauma to my left eye resulting surgeries to reattach my retina, to in place a artificial lens, and a corneal transplant. I also had to 2 surgeries to repair the zygomatic and maxilla bone on the left side of my face with 2 plates being fastened to help hold them in place. I also had to have a plate fastened to 2 metacarpal bone in my left hand. My left leg was amputated from the knee down also. The whole time my wife was there with me. Before being discharged from the hospital I was award the Purple Heart by the Honorable President Barrack Obama. On June 11, 2011 we were married while at Walter Reed. On July 25, 2012 I medically retired from the US Army and relocated to Lake Worth, Fl. In 2015 I graduated college as a Physical Therapist Assistant. This past summer I began a new career as a High School Social Science Teacher. I have two children, Macayle 9 years old and Mekhi 4 years old.

*********************************************************
Thank you for tuning in to the Catch A Lift Fund's Coaches Corner podcast. We hope you enjoy today's episode and will consider supporting the Catch A Lift Fund and the veterans we serve. Visit our website for more information about our programs. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts, please call 988 or the Veterans Crisis Line 988 then 1 immediately.

The views and opinions expressed during the Co

Thank you so much for tuning into The Catch A Lift Fund, Coaches Corner. We appreciate your support of our mission, and incredible veteran members. Please leave us a review on streaming services and follow us on Instagram at @catchalift_fund. For more information about Catch A Lift, please visit our website at www.catchaliftfund.org.