hero of the month

August 2025- Gene Hammond

Local Military Veteran Still Serving His Community

By Rich Alvarez

August 1, 2025

Gene Hammond’s journey into service started in 1995 at the age of 21. He didn’t enter the military during a time of war, nor out of a deep-seated desire to wear the uniform. Like many, it started with a practical decision: to earn money for college. He enlisted as a Multiple Launch Rocket Systems crewmember at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

“I joined the military when not much was going on,” Gene recalls. “But as I was preparing to separate after 4 years, I realized I didn’t qualify for decent job offers. I had to go learn something.”

That decision to reclass into Satellite Communications in 1999 would alter the course of his life. He completed training, and then 9/11 happened. The world shifted overnight. In just four years, Gene deployed to the Middle East six times.

He served a total of 11 years.

When asked why he left the service, Gene doesn’t hesitate. “After 6 deployments in 4 years, it was time to get out and take my chances.” But he didn’t stray far. He transitioned to civilian life by staying in the satellite communications world—supporting three-letter federal agencies in technical roles.

Some stories from that time, Gene prefers not to share. Like many veterans, the weight of experience doesn’t always come with easy conversation. But when asked what the most heroic thing he’s done is, his answer doesn’t involve combat or adrenaline.

“The work I do today for Lines of Liberty is very rewarding. I need it for my therapy just as much as the veterans and first responders we help. I love putting smiles on the faces of the men and women that chose to ‘support and defend’ or ‘protect and serve.’”

Gene lives with acute anxiety and PTSD. He doesn't hide it. Instead, he leans into the healing process—openly and actively.

“I did several months of Cognitive Processing Therapy at the Bay Pines VA. That program teaches you how to deal with attacks that can’t be controlled,” he says. That kind of honesty isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary—and for many, it’s a lifeline.

Today, Gene is not only a veteran advocate but also a full-time captain running fishing charters and delivering boats. It's more than a job—it’s therapy, purpose, and freedom all wrapped in one.

Asked what advice he’d give someone entering the military or first responder world, Gene keeps it real:

“No matter how bad it gets, take the days in small bites. Don’t think about a 12- or 18-month deployment as a whole. Just make it to noon. Then focus on the end of the day. Before too long, you’ll have accomplished something bigger than you imagined.”

As we honor Gene Hammond this month, we also celebrate those like him—veterans who continue to serve, support, and heal both themselves and others.

And as Gene adds:

“Thanks so much to Rich and Peacekeeper Initiative for keeping us very good friends and nonprofit partners. We will always try and be there to support you.”