Jake Norotsky grew up in a small Pennsylvania town, the son of a Vietnam veteran and pastor. His life changed forever when his father died by suicide while Jake was in high school, pushing him toward a life of service. Joining the Army, he became a Blackhawk crew chief, flying nearly 1,000 combat hours in Iraq. His aircraft was hit dozens of times, and the constant danger took a toll on his body and mind.
After returning home, Jake faced a new battle — post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and his own fight with suicidal ideation. His turning point came when his wife signed him up for a Wounded Warrior Project® Project Odyssey®, where he realized he wasn’t broken, and he wasn’t alone.
Having lost many friends to suicide, Jake now sees his mission clearly: to serve again by sharing his story. Today, he travels the country, using his journey from combat to hope to inspire his fellow warriors to reach out, find help, and believe that healing is possible. His message is simple but powerful: “You are not alone.”
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