Episode 58: Luke McFarland A Fire For Life

God has a way of bringing people into our lives for a much greater purpose than it may appear at the time. Luke McFarland is one of those people in my life. Meeting over a decade ago through HHA Sports and his desire to use our products, it was only in the last couple years that Luke and I started to connect on a much deeper level. While I knew that he was a Veteran back when we met, I had no idea all that he had been through and am thankful for both our friendship and willingness to share his story.

After stints in the Air Force and Army left him with three separate traumatic brain injuries, Luke had to learn to speak all over again and his life would never be the same. Discovering a new normal and continuing to battle the TBIs, PTSD and other injuries from his service, he returned to the best therapy that he knew of: his love of archery and the outdoors. Able to disconnect from the chaos of the world each time he stepped into the woods, there was something about being in God's creation that brought him a healing like no other. 

In August of 2021, just a day before getting engaged, Luke gave his life to Christ and was baptized. Realizing now that God was in control of everything over the past 20 years, things all started to make sense and he discovered a purpose in his pain. He had a renewed drive to help others suffering from TBIs and other service related injuries.

That drive recently led the Iowa native to became an advocate for the Stronghold Freedom Foundation. This group is fighting for the nearly 16,000 Veterans who served at the Karshi Khanabad Air Base during Operation Enduring Freedom from 2001 to 2005. Exposed to hundreds of toxic chemicals and radiation at the base, 75% of these Veterans will develop illnesses because of the exposure, Luke being one of them.

I've seen it countless times in the Veteran and First Responder community but the passion to serve is something that in simply in the DNA of these individuals. Luke McFarland is a special man and a man on a mission to help those in need. I am honored to be in his circle of friends and look forward to working together more to make a difference. 

If you'd like to get in contact with him, you can find him on Facebook and Instagram or email Luke at lukemcfarland31@gmail.com

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