Driven by Success, United in Service
Veterans helping Veterans Stay on the Road to Success!
Veteran Spotlight: Chad Sewell
We are proud to shine this month’s Veteran Spotlight on Chad Sewell, a dear friend and an inspiring member of our War Eagle Garage family. Chad served in the U.S. Army as a medic with the elite 1st Rangers, a role that required courage, compassion, and a deep commitment to supporting his fellow soldiers.
After his time in the military, Chad faced significant challenges in returning to civilian life. For years, he struggled with homelessness, a difficult chapter that would have tested anyone’s resilience. But life took a turn when his family found him and helped him come back home to Colorado, where he began to rebuild with their support.
It was at a local community college that Chad crossed paths with our founder, Thompson. Both men had their own journeys to overcome, and through the bond of shared experiences and understanding, they quickly forged a friendship. Their connection helped them both to heal and grow in ways they hadn’t anticipated. Thompson found inspiration in Chad’s journey, and Chad found the camaraderie he had missed since leaving the military.
Today, we are thrilled to celebrate Chad’s achievements. He has not only rebuilt his life but has also completed his studies at the community college, graduating with a renewed sense of purpose and accomplishment. Chad’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, friendship, and the strength that lies within our veterans.
Chad, we’re honored to have you in the War Eagle Garage family. Your story is a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to rebuild, and the incredible things that happen when we support one another.
Veteran Spotlight: Cory "Red" Bushell
Charlie Mike: Continuing My Mission
By Cory Bushell
When I reached my Expiration of Term of Service (ETS), like most vets, I felt both excitement and apprehension. On one hand, I was free—no more orders, no more deployments. But with that freedom came uncertainty. I didn’t know what my next mission in life would be, or even if there was a mission left for me. And without my brothers, without that shared purpose, I knew I’d have to rely on my own discipline to keep going, to avoid falling into the traps that many of us face after service: PTSD, mental health struggles, substance abuse, or worse—becoming just another statistic.
In those moments, I found myself sitting in a hyper-vigilant state, my mind cycling back to the war days. I remembered the adrenaline, the chaos, the gunfights, the IEDs, the bloodshed. And as I sat there, I felt an urge—a need to apply my military skill set somehow, to shoot something.
So, I picked up a camera.
At first, I just looked at it, wondering what I could shoot. Would I capture people? Animals? Or maybe just scenes around me? Then, instinctively, I raised it, steadied my breath like I’d been trained to do, and focused on my target. My first shots weren’t perfect, but they weren’t bad either. So, I shot again. And again.
Soon, I was photographing everything—my dog, the landscape, capturing each moment with the same focus and precision I’d once brought to the battlefield. My neighbors even joined in, asking if I could photograph them too. I realized I’d come full circle. I’d gone from operating massive military weapons—from tanks and grenade launchers to 50 cals and Gatling guns—to now shooting epic moments with a camera.
Over time, my journey into photography expanded. I began shooting high-speed frames, flying drones, creating stunning images, and capturing the world around me with a different kind of intensity.
This new mission didn’t erase my past or my memories, but it gave me a way to channel my experience into something positive and creative. Now, I am the “professional shooter”—from guns to cameras.
In this journey, War Eagle Garage (WEG) has become a vital part of my story. Working with WEG has given me the chance to build on my skills, capture meaningful moments, and continue my mission with a new purpose. Through WEG, I get to work with other veterans, all of us on a new mission but with the same drive and commitment to each other and to our goals.
So, if you’re a veteran looking for a purpose, looking for a way to “Charlie Mike”—to continue your mission—maybe it’s time to pick up your own “weapon,” whatever it may be, and see where it takes you.