GFF73-John Salerno - Gallery of Freedom Fighters

John Salerno grew up on Long Island NY. In 1985, I became a member of my local Volunteer Fire Department, (Farmingdale Village) when I was 15. Started out as a Junior Firefighter, Worked my way up after 20 years becoming Chief of the Department.
I learned the medical field and a lot about community service. In 1988, I joined the NYC EMS system working in one of the deadliest areas in NY- Trauma and Shootings were a nightly thing, Running many traumatic arrests and Homicides.
In 1990 I was accepted to the NYC Police Academy. After Graduation I was assigned to the 77 Pct in Crown Heights Brooklyn. It was a high Crime and Drug area.
I was involved in 2 City Riots and multiple shooting incidents.
During the investigations in Narcotics, I was asked to return for a day to help take down a drug cartel as it was one of my previous investigations. Well as luck had it I was stabbed during the raid and as a result was forced to retire. I retired on 12/31/2000.
I was still an acting Chief in my Fire Department and when 9/11 occurred, I was in charge of a team of Firefighters who responded for Search and Rescue. I lost 13 friends that day and lost many more from the aftereffects.
PTSD was not really a known thing. My family noted big changes in my daily routine. Alcohol and anger were my normal day to day...
I finally in 2008 decided to pick up and move out of NY as I blamed it on my surroundings and not my mental health. After arriving in Texas I was floundering for employment and had no direction
The stars began to align a bit and I found a job, got into stand-up comedy and began a radio show.
Through different events and guest appearances, I crossed paths with Samantha Horwitz.
We connected immediately through our PTSD and background experiences.
We collaborated to make a change and smash the Stigma of PTSD. Helping others and raising our voices. We started the Non for Profit A Badge of Honor and began doing workshops for local 1st responders. As we grew, we gained knowledge, insight and motivation to provide more. I thought it was a treatment for me being able to release my Stress. I found out Firsthand that workshops are only the 1st step as I was still battling, I attempt Suicide in 2020. (Long Story) I ended up in a rehab in Utah for 30 days.
If not for the support network around me, I would not be here today.
Email-Jsalerno5885@Yahoo.com

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