Meet Greg Pelletier

We were lucky to catch up with Greg Pelletier recently and have shared our conversation below.

Greg, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

I got my work ethic from two hard working parents. Dad was a logger and Mother was a nurse (LPN). Spent time in the woods ar a young age. I was taught that in life every thing is worked for. My parents are the reason for work ethic.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I proudly served in the United States Air Force. I deployed for several operations, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Operation Southern Watch to name a few. After returning home in 2003 I started having problems with skin and cyst. After several years of infections I went through several surgeries to have my issues repaired, this was 2017 when they started. Moving ahead a few years, I filed and received my 100% through the VA. It was a long couple year of surgeries. The whole time still grateful I returned home and with all my limbs. During this time I had moved to Florida. I was staying with a friend, his family(The Finchs) took me in like their own. I was able to complete one my last large surgeries, then began getting on my feet to repair my life. I found a home and purchased same. At this time in life, I was getting bored, I decided I would give back. I had been part of a veteran motorcycle association, then joined DAV, Local pantry, county veteran boards and a veteran board with our local congressman. Then in 2021 decided to form a charity board to begin a homeless veteran shelter. I was plenty busy now, almost too busy. The shelter originated in Inverness Florida. The name is The Bridge 4 Veterans Inc. This is a place for our brothers to come off the streets and get help getting them back on track. Our shelter currently has 7 males. They’re given a social worker through one of the resources that help them getting things in order. They’re then helped find permanent housing. Our charity has grown well over the past couple years. We receive a lot of support from locals and groups. We have had a Sorority purchase beds, toilet paper for years, welcome packets, along with several other things and moral support. Local legion purchased pillows, sheets, towels., Another local group, the elks has helped with packets when veterans move out to their own home. It really takes a village, and we are fortunate to have one of the best.
We are at a point now where we are in search of a new building. We are hoping to house male and female veterans in the future. We are also looking to add a pantry, store for donated furniture. Furniture will be used to help furnish the veterans homes. We are in hopes of having space for an office as well as a classroom. Classrooms will be used to help the veterans with budgeting, resume building, interview skills etc… Our future is hopeful and we feel we are in the right hands to make it happen.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

My first quality is passion. Passion behind any mission will step you in the right direction. Skills, other than the veteran connection and the bond we build I really had zero skills for this kind of work. The greatest tool given to us is our ears, listen, learn, comprehend then apply. This is what i used to build what we are in now. I had a lot of help learning. Learning and listening to the veteran, the social workers and the needs.

My best advice I could offer would be, keep it in your heart and don’t quit. With the passion and care for the mission, you will complete it.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

The team is large. I have had veterans, social workers, VA case workers. They all play a different role, from different sides or views of a problem. Our volunteer board, prior and now has always been helpful in their own jobs. The faces of the veteran and hearing their story. The feeling of helping a veteran, see the smile of pride and accomplishment come over their face. Its the warmest best feeling. Then they come back to visit or thank us, new warm and fuzzy.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: The Bridge 4 Veterans Inc.
• Other: thebridge4vets@gmail.com is our email address.

Image Credits

Amy Maki