Purple Heart Recipient Under Fire Again… But Finds a Friend in 4Patriots
It was the summer of 2005. Shawn N. felt the intense heat as the sun beat down in the Iraqi desert.
He was on his way to his interpreter’s room after having passed along information from a contact in the city of Ramadi in the al Anbar Province.
His information helped save a patrol of Marines from venturing into an ambush. But as it turned out, Shawn was not as fortunate as the Marines.
Suddenly mortar rounds and indirect fire from the enemy landed in his base. One shell exploded only 100 yards from Shawn’s location.
Fragments of shrapnel flew in every direction. Several pieces of hot metal shot through Shawn’s stomach and out his back. Other pieces of metal hit him along his left side, including his arm and neck.
Returning to the Battlefront
Shawn staggered to a hard building before collapsing. He was medevac’d to the nearest combat hospital and underwent surgery.
Once back home in Santa Rosa, California, where he was born and raised, Shawn was awarded both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
“At that point, I needed to work, but was not fit for duty,” Shawn said. “I felt the need to go back and support the troops even more than ever.
“While still nursing my wounds, I returned to Iraq six months later, working in a support role. While working in Iraq, I remained in the Reserve component until 2011.”
Wildfire Spreads to Shawn’s Home
Twelve years later, Shawn, 43, found himself under a different kind of fire.
The Sonoma County fires were not predicted to move as quickly as they did. Nor were they expected to head in the direction of his home.
But like the shrapnel in Iraq, the fire found him. Fueled by dry conditions and wind gusts reaching 80 miles per hour, the fire roared into his Coffey Park neighborhood.
“We were woken up by our power going out, and when we took one of the dogs outside, we saw that the fire was only two blocks away,” Shawn said.
“With only 20 minutes to leave, my amazing partner, Susan, my 14-year-old son, and I gathered our most important belongings, including the dogs, and evacuated.”
Shawn Vows to Rebuild After Devastation
On the way, they found the time to help two neighbors get out of their neighborhood safely. By the time Shawn returned, his home had been completely destroyed.
The fire spared nothing. He estimates that they will have to live in a fifth-wheel trailer for the next two years while they rebuild.
“Once again I find myself in a state of chaos and calamity,” he said. “This time is different because I have no home to return to.
“Obviously there is pain with the loss of the physical items. But we still have our memories in our hearts and minds. We will clean up and we will rebuild.”
Interest in Military Begins Early
Early on in life, Shawn became interested in martial arts and the military. His family was very poor while he was growing up, so he began working at age 13 to pitch in.
He joined the Navy at the age of 19 and earned his G.E.D. Since then, he took online courses from Excelsior College. He earned two associates degrees and a bachelor’s degree in business management and psychology.
Shawn was in the Navy and the Naval Reserves for two years each before joining the National Guard.
Currently he is a customer solutions manager at Polaris Alpha, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
4Patriots Lends a Hand
We at 4Patriots were so devastated by the recent wildfires, and wanted to do something to help.
As many of our readers know, 4Patriots has long been a supporter of U.S. Armed Services men and women, as well as their families.
We came across Shawn and heard his story and wanted to lend a helping hand.
Our hearts go out to Shawn. As a gesture of thanks for all Shawn has done for his country – and to help him deal with this crisis – we have reached out to help. We recently presented him with the newest version of our Patriot Power Generator, a six-month supply of our Food4Patriots survival food, and an Alexapure Breeze air purifier.
We hope these items will aid Shawn and his loved ones during this trying time in their lives.
And we couldn’t help in these types of situations if wasn’t for you and your support, so THANK YOU.
Bless you and your employees for caring. It says a lot about your company.
Pat
Kudos to you for your actions of love and support of our veterans
Thank you for assisting a very dedicated patriot in need. My heart is truly touched by your thoughtfulness.
From one vet to another, Thank You. 1stSgt. USMC{Ret}
I know Food for Patriots help for Shawn will be welcome and super useful and sustaining. Thank you Patriots for stepping up, I salute all of you!
The American Dream at its BEST! Helping out where help is needed. To you guys who support folks like Shawn, many a thanks! For God, our families and our Country, may we continue to shine. Thanks 4Patriots.
Thank you for all you do in support of our veterans. Keep up the good work!
Thank you.
Thank you very much for helping SHAWN N. MOR PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD SHOULD DO MORE OF THE SAME IF THEY ARE ABLE.Also I would like to thank Shawn for service to our Country! God Bless you all!
Thank you so very much Shawn. You are America’s best and we appreciate your sacrifice and your service. And we are thrilled that 4 Patriots has stood behind you and helped after the fires. Thank you 4 Patriots. We will be praying for Shawn as he tries to rebuild.
What you did for Shawn was wonderful, too bad other companies don’t do more for our Vets.
thanks
Well done 4 Patriots! Thank you.
Glad to see that the real spirit of America still lives!
Keep up the great work!
What a great act of kindness!
I’m so glad to know this company values our warriors and stepped up to help !
It is amazing how us older folks do our best to help out our vets. What gets me really uptight is that our children and there childern could care less on the most part about our military and some even less about this country. The one thing I personaly think hurt this country is not having the Military Draft and should be reinstated.
It worked for many years and people could become a US citizen by serving in the military. As far as I know we are the only country that the draft is not mandated. God Bless us all who still beleive in this Country
What you did for Shawn N. is amazing! It is wonderful to hear that a company would reach out and give so much help to someone, especially a veteran, in today’s world. I’m proud to be a customer. Keep up the great work and good deeds! God Bless You.
Is there a gofundme account to contribute to rebuilding Shawn’s home?
Thanks for asking, Hope. See link below.
https://www.plumfund.com/financial-hardship/shawn-nichols–sonoma-fire-fund
AlmightyGod bless and keep you and yours .
We love you , and thank you for all you do for all of us .
Carlton
Is there a gofundme account for Shawn so we can contribute to him rebuilding his home? Thanks!
Thank you for your service and sacrifice for our country. It is people like you that make America great. Happy Veteran’s Day ! Because of you and your brothers and sisters that we can remain the most free nation. Again, THANK YOU.
Great testimony from both Shawn and 4Patriots. Thanks for helping him out because he sure deserves it!
Thank you for helping Shawn & family.
Good work as always.
A great guy to help out. We need more Americans like him.
Thank you for giving this family assistance. Thank him for his service.
May Almighty God continue to Bless your business! Mahalo for helping this Veteran Who served in Arms Way !! Such as I a VN Veteran Disabled stories like Shaun give us hope both in Humanity, but more importantly hiw God uses companies like yours !! Mahalo & Shalom
Great job 4Patriots, as you support my brothers and sisters in-arms, I continue to support and promote you all. Thank you for the fantastic show charity and God Bess!