Tommy Throw was born with a protective personality trait that led him to the Marine Corp. He served four years as a police officer, SWAT member, martial arts instructor, and in confidential security missions. While he is a civilian now, he still watches over the lives around him. As a veteran, a father, and an insurance agent, he strives to be the role model that people need.
Throw’s own role models are “people that have recognized that they’ve had an issue in their life. They’ve accepted the help offered or reached out; and put forth the effort to change their lives.” Leaving the military was rough on Throw and it put him in a very bad place. It would have been easy to give up, as so many people do. Instead he sought help and turned his life back around. Having been there and seen how hard it is, Throw respects anyone willing to make that effort.
The Veteran’s Treatment Court was founded to help veterans that are struggling with the transition into civilian life and have been in trouble with the law. Throw started his affiliation with them as a mentee caught in the throes of alcohol addiction.
“Why, when, and how did it take control of my life is the question, really.”
The reason is a complex one that really needs to be addressed. Throw had a lot of emotional turmoil when he left the service. He needed to be home for his family but part of him did not want to go. Sometimes he still regrets his decision.
This is common for any soldier returning to civilian life. On top of deciding whether to stay or go are the underlying issues developed by their time in the service. A soldier experiences a lot of traumatic events while in the service. The military teaches many things, but how to handle emotions is not one of them.
Throw joined the Marine Corp because he knew this military branch shared the same core values he already practiced. It allowed him to follow his passion, to protect people. While he is under oath not to talk about his specific security missions, Throw is able to describe the camaraderie shared by everyone in the Corp. It is hard to find that anywhere else.
Camaraderie and emotional support are some of the things that the Veterans Treatment Court supplement in a veteran’s life.
Throw let alcohol take over his life because he did not know how else to handle what he was going through. For others it is aggression, drug abuse, or reckless behavior that they turn to.
A handful of DUIs landed Throw in the Porter County Veteran’s Treatment Court where Judge Julia Jent offers defendants help or jail time. They are very serious about getting people back on their feet and demand that their mentees be serious too.
Throw spent 18 months in treatment for alcohol abuse. His mentor, Noah Hamilton, was in the program before rejoining as a mentor to help others go through the same problems he went through. His wife provided additional support. She knew the old him and did not give up on that. It took a team of knowledgeable professionals with a personalized treatment plan, the encouragement of those around him, and his own hard work to turn Throw’s life around.
Now he is a veteran mentor too. Throw wants help others achieve the same salvation he did. He also wants to see the people in his community giving back.
“Each and every one of us has something to offer,” Throw says. Whether it is time, money, or an ear to listen with, everyone possesses something they can use to improve our community.
When Throw meets a new person he likes to ask them what they have to offer.
“You cannot just tell people to volunteer. You have to make it personal.” With one conversation at a time he is widening the pool of contributors, to every cause.
Throw is raising his sons to have the same responsible thought process that he does. He says that if he does not teach them to be caring and to make the right choices that is two people lost that could have made a difference.
“Whoever reads this, I want them to realize there are many organizations in the community that you can give back to. My story represents one of them.”
His organization of choice is the Veteran’s Treatment Court. Representative Jackie Algozine is always looking for more veterans that can mentor those struggling through the program. Anyone who wants to volunteer can call her at (219) 510-6413.
Whenever Tommy Throw is faced with an opportunity to make a difference he thinks, “If not me, then who? If not now, then when?”
His insurance agency, Shelter Insurance in Valparaiso, is yet another example of Throw’s protective nature and devotion to giving back to the community. We should all be asking ourselves what we have to offer.