Retired U.S. Army veteran Jimmy Lee Novak is walking across America to raise awareness of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and suicide among military veterans. When he stepped into Carrollton city limits earlier this week, he was met by Georgia Senate Majority Leader Mike Dugan (R-Carrollton) —who welcomed him to his hometown and sponsored his room for the night.
State Sen. Mike Dugan
Dugan tweeted, “It was an honor to join in supporting (Novak) as he visited Carrollton on his walk across America… Good luck to you on your way to Orlando, and thank you for highlighting these important issues.”
“Too many brave men and women enter the armed services to bravely serve their country, only to return home with wounds, both visible and invisible,” said Sen. Dugan. “As a military veteran myself, I know first-hand the experiences that Jimmy and so many others go through when making the transition back to civilian life. This walk is highlighting the struggles many returning veterans face and I am thankful for individuals like Jimmy for stepping up to bring awareness for such an important cause. I was happy to sponsor his room for the night and I wish him the best of luck as he continues his journey to Orlando.”
Dugan himself is a military veteran. He enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating from college with his Bachelor’s Degree, and was later commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry. He became an Army Ranger and a Master Paratrooper. Sen. Dugan spent more than 20 years in the Army before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2008. During his career, he was deployed to more than 32 countries, including hostile fire deployments in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. He serves as Secretary of the Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security Committee.
Novak began his walk in Washington State on March 22 and plans to conclude it later this month –on August 22 — in Orlando, Florida. Novak served in the U.S. Army as a member of the U.S. Army Chemical Corps for 21 years, rising to the rank of Sergeant First Class.
