AN ALARMING 2023 report by the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) listed Tennessee’s Veteran suicide rate as being significantly higher than both the national Veteran suicide rate and the national general population suicide rate. Veteran Stuart Rudy is doing what he can to prevent his veteran brothers and sisters from being another statistic.
Rudy first served in the Army National Guard in Lewisburg. Before being deployed, he was on active duty in Nashville, rebuilding army vehicles. His first mission after deployment was a convoy from Kuwait to Mosul, Iraq, where he served as a convoy security gunner during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He, along with the other soldiers, faced significant challenges daily, including high-casualty risks from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), roadside bombs, and urban insurgency. Many of the soldiers who survived the physical threats left Iraq with significant physical injuries as well as injuries no one else could physically see — post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.
“I don’t think any of us realized the impact the experience had on us and our families,” Rudy said. “We’re trying to fix that.”
According to Linda Williams of the Fayetteville/Lincoln County Warrior Exhibit, more than 3,000 veterans live in Lincoln County today. Not all of those veterans are getting the services they need.
“In January 2024, a handful of fellow veterans and I decided to do something different. We had all had ideas separately of how we could help, but we grew the idea together,” Rudy said. “We came up with two projects, the Lifeline Warrior Foundation, which is currently in process, and the Den of Valor.”
The Lifeline Warrior Foundation was created to help meet the specific needs of local veterans. Rudy and his team recently worked on a remodel of a veteran’s home in Park City. Also, shortly after the Friends of Fayetteville – Lincoln County Veterans Inc. bought the adjacent building to the Warrior Exhibit, one of the central units in the original building went out. Rudy contacted a supplier, who donated a unit.
The idea behind the Den of Valor is still in the development stage. The idea behind this project is to create a welcoming place for veterans to socialize. The Den will offer memberships that allow veterans to enjoy non-alcoholic refreshments, listen to live music, talk to old friends, or meet new ones. The Den will offer a comfortable place where veterans don’t have to be alone.
Both of these projects are 100% volunteer driven.
“Many veterans who are experiencing difficulties don’t realize help is out there,” Rudy said. “They just have to look for it.”
Rudy serves as a representative on the Veterans Auxiliary Board, which comprises members from various veteran groups in the Fayetteville/Lincoln County area.
“There are several organizations that provide help to veterans,” Rudy said. “The first step I take when I know veterans need help is to put them in contact with the group that can provide resources. If a veteran has a need that’s not readily met by one of these organizations, that’s where we step in.”
Because the organization is at the initial stage, funds are limited. Rudy aims to be a good steward of those funds and points veterans to the groups with financial resources to provide the best help. He said his group is there to “fill the gap.”
Rudy wants to help as many veterans as possible, not just those in his area. When the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall made its way to the City Pavilion in Winchester, Aug. 14-18, Rudy and his wife, Brandy, provided meals at cost for the volunteers who assisted. Together, they operate Paislee’s Place, a small diner in Petersburg known for Southern comfort food and named after their 6-year-old daughter, Paislee
“At this stage of our organization, we don’t have a building yet, but veterans with needs can stop by the restaurant to discuss their situation,” Rudy said. “They can also stop by the Lincoln County Warrior Exhibit and speak with Linda Williams. She’s a great person and is always willing to help.”
The Lincoln County Warrior Exhibit is free to all visitors and is also handicapped accessible.
Some battles are fought in foreign countries. Others are fought here at home. Rudy has a mission to let all veterans know these battles fought at home weren’t meant to be fought alone. Help is on standby. GN
The Lincoln County Warrior Exhibit is at 113 Main St. N., Fayetteville. It is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and closed on Sunday and Monday. The telephone number is (931) 993-8353.
