MORGANTOWN — A local man knows the psychological side effects that can come with returning from active military duty.
He knows keeping busy helped him and he wants to help other area veterans find their way after serving their country.
CJ Ghuste spent four years in the Army and then 2 1/2 in the Army Reserves.
He knew fellow veterans who committed suicide after their service and knows statistics are high for that.
He said 22 veterans commit suicide a day, according to a study conducted by the VA in 2014.
“It hasn’t gotten any better, really. Twenty-two veterans committing suicide a day is a pretty astronomical number, so what’s our problem? What can I do to help our problem? ” he asked.
“I stay busy, so that’s what I need to do. There’s nothing like that (that keeps veterans busy in their communities). The VA is there, the psychology is there but there’s nothing just to give veterans things to do,” he said.
So, Ghuste decided he would do something about that.
In May 2017, he founded Operation Activet. It started out small, but didn’t take long to gain momentum.
What began as two guys going to play paintball together turned into about 16 guys who were going to play paintball together. Now, Ghuste plans more activities for veterans like camping, escape rooms and bowling.
This weekend, Operation Activet is planning to hold its biggest event yet — Mandatory Fun Day, at the West Virginia Army National Guard Morgantown Readiness Center. It’s hoped this will turn into an annual event.
Admission is $10 for a wristband and with that, patrons will receive five tickets for food/drinks, access to all tables, and entry into all backyard games.
Operation Activet Communications Director Alexandra Harshman ran with the idea. She started with a small benefit dinner and turned it into something bigger. Her husband, who is friends with Ghuste, is a veteran as well.
“When I started planning for May 5, I didn’t expect it to take off like it did,” she said.
The event will provide information about Operation Activet, give veterans and community members some fun things to do and put money back into activities for the veterans.
About 32 vendors are set to be at Saturday’s event.
“We’ve had such an overwhelming response from the community. It’s better than I expected for our first ‘alright let’s give this a run’,” Harshman said
She said local businesses are on the schedule, both those geared toward vets and their families and those that are more community-oriented.
Ghuste said he has been amazed at the number of people who are so willing to help the cause. Operation Activet received its nonprofit status in December, but every business he has talked with has been more than willing to lend a helping hand. They’ve received donations of money as well as items to raffle.
He said they didn’t get their hopes up too high, but the response so far has been better than they imagined.
Ghuste said there will be food, a race car, things for kids to do, a Corn Hole tournament and three-legged race, among other activities.
Going into summer, Ghuste wants to have more activities available to veterans, and wants them to know that Operation Activet is there for them.
As the organization grows, he hopes to get an office space where the door is always open for anyone looking for free things to do as well as just camaraderie.
“It lessens the burden, you know that someone is struggling already, and financially you know they’re struggling as well, it just doubles their burden. At least with this, we can help relieve some of that,” said Harshman.
For Ghuste, his dad put it in perspective for him. If he saves one person from wanting to end his life by giving him some new friends, he’s accomplished his mission.
“Hopefully we’re saving lives. That’s the idea,” he said.
