Today we’d like to introduce you to Donny Daughenbaugh.
Hi Donny, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story started with a childhood that made me want to make more of/for myself. We were really poor, my dad was really abusive, and my mom was dealing with long-term issues related to heavy drug use before/ during and after having us. I joined the Marine Corps as a way to leave Des Moines and it was tough becoming a Marine, but I truly loved being able to serve as an 0311 and a shooting instructor. I’d been in for 2 years when September 11, 2001 happened and I knew, eventually, we’d be involved but had no idea of the details.
We finally got word that our group would be sent to Iraq to provide a policing force, to train local police and military units and to show the people around Mahmoudiyah how much support the US could really offer. However, our base was really small, and the people around knew they could launch mortars into our base with little chance of being caught. Mortars can be launched from 1+ miles away and, when they impact, can cause a lot of damage. We got mortared several times per month but one night, the night of October 12th, we set up a checkpoint to look for people who were attacking our base.
After several stops with no problem and then one guy got so mad that he was yelling and angrily drove backwards from our checkpoint. That is a big warning sign. He then drove right at us and shot me in the face with an AK 47 he’d been hiding next to his seat. It broke my jaw, hit my spine and stopped right by my brain where the nerves go in. It’s still there today.
It causes me a lot of issues including nerve pain, arthritis, lead leaking and all around it sucks. But it hasn’t stopped me from living life. It hasn’t stopped me from having an amazing family of my wife and 3 kids (3 dogs too). It certainly didn’t stop me from getting my B.S. or my MBA and it’s not stopped me from having a job, and helping others that I love.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Constant (chronic) pain. Both through nerve damage and arthritis. I also have a TBI (traumatic Brain Injury) which has affected my short-term memory. Commonplace in social settings but it really makes learning and testing on new material a challenge!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I started in 2009 as a volunteer for the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes which is a nonprofit started in 2004 to help the wounded troops coming back to the US from the global war on terror. After seeing the positive impact of Veterans helping to look out for and support other Veterans, I was given the chance to work for this organization. Initially as a spokesman, helping to tell their story, and connect with Veterans to now I’m the VP and run an incredible donation network of in-kind events and products, marriage retreats and events and event grants for fundraising. It’s really been an awesome journey to get where I am now.
How do you think about happiness?
My wife. She’s been by my side since the beginning and we’ve both gotten stronger and closer for it. My (3) kids. I have a college Sophomore daughter who wants to be a doctor, a 14-year-old high school freshman who loves to game and play baseball. We also have a “surprise” 5-year-old who beat the odds to round out our family. They are my everything. My (3) dogs too, couldn’t be this happy without them. Oakley, a 3-year-old brindle Boxer and DIO / GINNY both 7-month-old Boxer-Labs that are wild and crazy and chew on everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.saluteheroes.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnydaugh1/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donny.daughenbaugh
- Twitter: @DonnyDaughenbau
