American Heroes Invitational
2025 Guest Speaker
DR. TYSHAWN JENKINS
AIR NATIONAL GUARD
WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT
Dr. Tyshawn Jenkins joined the Air National Guard in 2010 because he wanted to give back to the nation that had given him so much. Five years later, he faced an experience that would forever change his life. While deployed to Qatar with the US Air Force, Tyshawn’s job was to refuel and repair aircraft. One day, while inside one of the fuel tanks making repairs, his ladder was moved — causing him to fall and badly injure his back. Though his physical wounds somewhat healed, his loss of trust in himself and others was difficult to overcome.
When Tyshawn returned home, he watched his fellow warriors get welcomed back by their families — but there was no one there to greet him. He wished he, too, could feel that warmth and comfort. Instead, he felt alone. He was facing the end of his marriage and had limited other support. That loneliness, combined with his trust issues from Qatar, turned the positive and friendly Tyshawn of the past into a sullen, withdrawn, disconnected person he barely recognized. “I thought I would be fine,” says Tyshawn, “but the path I was on seemed really dark.”
“WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT DEFINITELY SAVED MY LIFE, BECAUSE I DON’T KNOW WHAT PATH I WOULD HAVE GONE DOWN WITHOUT THEIR HELP.”
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It was an invitation to attend a Veterans Day Parade with a friend that led Tyshawn to Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP). Being around other veterans helped him find the camaraderie he had been missing, feel honored for his service, and connect with people who truly had his back. “It was one of the best experiences ever to see how veterans were celebrated,” says Tyshawn. “It opened up my eyes to Wounded Warrior Project.”
Since then, Tyshawn has participated in a number of WWP programs and events. The Warriors to Work program aided him with his resume and interview skills, helping him earn a new position as a commissioned officer in the Air National Guard. He also found healing through a mental health retreat called Project Odyssey®.
“Other warriors shared their stories and I shared mine,” says Tyshawn. “It allowed me to open myself up in a way that I had never done before and be transparent with people. It was a great experience.”
Most importantly, Tyshawn credits WWP with leading him to think more about others. Today, he strives to change warriors’ lives as a Peer Support Group leader. “Only another veteran can truly understand some veterans’ issues,” says Tyshawn. “The Peer Support Group allowed me to make those veteran-to-veteran connections that really helped me overcome some of my challenges. Now I want to help others the same way. I want to make sure I tell veterans who are coming out of the military, ‘Hey, you are supported. You are cared for. You don’t have to give up.’”
DUTY * HONOR * COURAGE * COMMITMENT * INTEGRITY * COUNTRY * SERVICE
woundedwarriorproject.org