HEROLD
Born in Brooklyn, New York on October 15, 1979, Herold lived in a single-parent home with his mother, younger sister and cousin. Herold’s mother did her best to provide for her family by working two, and even sometimes three, jobs. Herold’s mother was committed and did her best to keep him from the influences of the “streets.” Upon completion of high school he found himself to be the “man” of the house. Herold, at the age of 18, found himself having to support a family of his own when his twins Julian and Judy were born. Knowing that education is the key to success and with the responsibility of having to support his family, he felt that joining the Army was the best way to be the father that he needed to be. His mother didn’t agree with Herold but he explain to her that the Army would help him to stay off the streets and away from a life of crime and fast money. Herold enlisted at the age of 19 and soon after found out that he was going to be the father of another son. With three children to take care of, there was no turning back.
Herold completed his basic training in Fort Knox, Kentucky. The environment was completely opposite from the streets of Brooklyn which made it difficult for Herold to adjust to military life. He felt that the drill sergeant made it extra hard on him because he was from New York. The experience and training made Herold physically and mentally stronger. The difficult process broke him down and rebuilt him in preparation for war. He completed basic training and was awarded the Army achievement medal. After basic training his first duty station was in Camp Casey Korea. His time in Korea helped him understand and experience life outside the United States. “It opened my eyes to poverty, famine and other struggles people go through, that as an American, I often took for granted.”
Herold received the call that he was to be deployed to Iraq. He served as private first class with the United States Army’s 3rd Infantry Division in the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003. After serving just over ten months as a petroleum specialist on the front lines of battle, he returned to New York after receiving an honorable discharge. Herold’s career in the military spanned over three years, three months and fifteen days.
Herold struggled with returning to civilian life and with the memories from his time in war. He became homeless after being denied assistance from the Veteran’s Administration and various city agencies. Herold quickly found the lack of assistance and programs for veterans looking for help in securing housing and transiting into civilian life. It was clear that the government couldn’t provide support when they didn’t have it to begin with. Herold found himself embarrassed, humiliated and frustrated when asking a family member if he could share their one bedroom, one bathroom apartment bringing the total to ten people. Herold struggled finding his own home and the stress began to take a toll not only on himself but family. Herold attempted to check into a shelter but his pride stopped him from accepting a bed and found himself sleeping on the couch of friends and in his car. Herold’s children gave him the strength to go on because as a father it was important they didn’t see him down and out and he was determined to succeed. It was important to Herold to have a relationship with his children.
Herold is the main subject of the documentary film “When I Came Home“ which won the Best Documentary Award at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival. He recently started the Veteran’s Outreach Project at Urban Neighborhood Services Inc. in Coney Island, Brooklyn to help other returning veterans make the transition from military to civilian life.
“Soldiers are making a sacrifice so that we all can live free, so we as Americans should return that sacrifice by fighting for veterans. If a student plans to enlist into the military, they should not only fight for America but for themselves, or it will be a never ending war.”
You can order the powerful WHEN I CAME HOME documentary with your FACES OF WAR promotional kit!
