Sheila played in the band at her high school and loved marching on the field in her uniform. It was this experience, along with encouragement from her father, a WWII Veteran, and her brother, a Vietnam War Veteran, that inspired her to enlist in the U.S. Army. Both men spoke highly of the Army’s structure of training and the benefits they received, which encouraged Sheila to make the military her career. She loved wearing the uniform as well.
Basic Training for Sheila was completed at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, Advanced Training was at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana, in addition to Fort Riley in Kansas.
Sheila was first stationed in Korea. While there, she pulled guard duty numerous times outside during the frigid winter, which resulted in extreme frostbite on both of her feet. She was treated and released back to her unit, and would need care and special treatment on her feet for the rest of her life.
After Korea, Sheila was sent to Germany for the next four years. After Germany, she moved to Fort Bragg in North Carolina where she remained until she was discharged. “I was blessed to be part of the U.S. Army and I am proud to be a Veteran,” she says humbly.
Sheila now has trouble walking because of her feet. She also experiences extreme fatigue and still suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress. She is grateful to Purple Heart Homes for the new roof she has, along with other renovations soon to be completed. “With what I have experienced, I appreciate Purple Heart Homes reaching out to me. I am so happy, and I can’t thank them enough. I am so grateful,” says Sheila with both excitement and emotion in her voice.
Thank you for your service Ms. Douglas. We are honored to assist in making your home safe and more accessible, and we welcome you to the Purple Heart Homes family.
