Ep 2: Military or Jail? Roy Remone’s Story of Finding Purpose After Trauma

Welcome to episode two of Voice & Vision’s podcast, Untold Valor, where we’re thrilled to have Roy Remone share his personal story of struggle, survival and eventual triumph into a life of leadership and service. In this episode, Roy recounts his journey from facing a difficult decision of either joining the military or going to jail as a young man, to overcoming traumas and addictions, and eventually becoming a valuable asset in the mission to helping other veterans in need.

Roy describes the traumas he faced during his military experience and how it led him to self-medicate to deal with his issues. Despite years of struggling and not receiving proper help, Roy persevered. Roy explains how he began the rehab and recovery process, and how difficult it was to start the journey toward physical and mental health.

Today, Roy is a valuable leader in CompeerCORPS, fostering hope and offering supportive help to other veterans in need. He is a shining example of what it means to overcome adversity and use those experiences to help others. Tune in to this episode to hear more about Roy’s story and how he is making a difference in the lives of veterans through his work with CompeerCORPS.

More details about this episode:

• Military or jail? Why Roy faced that choice as a young man… (1:06)
• Roy details some of the traumas he faced during his military experience. (2:22)
• Many years passed without Roy receiving proper help and it led him to self-medicate in order to deal with his issues. (2:59)
• “I’m going to disappear.” Roy remembers his suicide attempt and continued troubles before he finally found the help he needed. (4:45)
• 6’5’’ and 147 pounds. “I was sick”. Roy explains what it was like to begin the rehab and recovery process. (8:45)
• After overcoming many roadblocks to recovery, Roy eventually took on leadership roles within CompeerCORPS to provide help, hope and support to other veterans in need. (12:30)

A little more about Roy’s story:

Honorable Discharge SH-4 US Navy Reserves 11/80 to 5/86 Active duty 3 years 1/81 to 1/84. Severed aboard AS-18 USS Orion home port in La Maddalena Sardinia Italy 1981-1983, AE-32 USS Flint home port in Concord California 1983-1984, FF 1054 USS Gray home port Oakland California 1984-1986 Served as a Ship Serviceman in S-3 Division. Shipboard Barber school San Diego California 1983 before reporting to AE-32. Received 2 Battle “E” ribbons and a sea service ribbon. Member of Woodworkers union in San Francisco California 1980 – 2006 as a Cabinet Maker. Retired July 2006.

Moved to Pennsylvania in September 2006. Went to rehab for self-medicating with alcohol 11/2009 at Pittsburgh VA Aspen Wall Campus for their 22 day program and then to Butler VA for long term program. By God’s grace it has been 13 years without any use of mind-altering substances. Started the CompeerCORPS program in Butler, PA in January 2014 and was Pennsylvania Compeer Coalition Veteran Outreach Coordinator from 2014–2021 when I became the Intensive Homeless Case Manager for the SPHS Care Center working with families with children. Came back to Compeer Butler in 2022 as a part time coordinator and trainer.

Resources:

Voice & Vision: https://voiceandvisioninc.org/

CompeerCORPS: https://voiceandvisioninc.org/compeercorps/

Information on how to apply for VA Healthcare Benefits from anywhere in the USA: https://www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/ or call 877-222-8387 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. EST)

To apply for veteran’s benefits and find resources in Pennsylvania veterans need to contact their County Office of Veterans Affairs as listed in this document:  https://www.dmva.pa.gov/veteransaffairs/Documents/Outreach-and-Reintegration/countyprint.pdf

To view more about PA’s resources for veterans:  https://www.pa.gov/guides/veterans/

Financial support for Untold Valor is provided by a Veterans’ Trust Fund grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.