Bo’s Blessings President Calls COL Ross Greatest Veterans Advocate Ever

Jannie Layne, president of Bo’s Blessings, a non-profit for veterans based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, met Col Mike Ross, U.S. Army, retired at a Northwest Arkansas Veterans Coalition meeting a few years ago. Frustrated with big government agencies and organizations not finding ways to make things work, she reached out to Ross when she found a veteran in need, and Ross came through. Layne was contacted regarding a veteran in a wheelchair who needed a bus ticket.

The veteran had traveled to Arkansas by bus to visit family. While visiting, he experienced some domestic issues with his family as well as physical health issues and had to be transferred by police to the Little Rock VA hospital, where he was treated and released. He explained to the hospital staff that he had no money, transportation, or a place to go. He said he was not homeless and only needed a bus ticket but had no money. He was then discharged, left to live on the streets, and began panhandling for funds.

Once Layne was made aware of this veteran’s situation, she contacted Ross, who immediately told her he would take care of it despite being in the middle of a big project. Ross provided the veteran with a place to sleep, meals, and a bath, and then transferred him to the bus station the following day. Layne purchased the bus ticket.

Layne said she had accidentally bought the wrong bus ticket. Due to having to travel in a wheelchair, the ticket she bought wouldn’t allow for his travel the day he expected to go home. As Layne spoke about the delay, she said, “It’s all going to work because COL Ross is there. He always steps up, he never says no, and he will have this veteran picked back up today and give him clothing, food, and rest, and then he will get him to the bus station on time again tomorrow.” Layne continued, “If more people were doing the right thing and depending less on regulations and requirements and just acted, there would be less need for assistance. I’m so grateful for the board of directors at Bo’s Blessings and for COL Ross and his organization for being willing to step up and fill in the gap where the government gets in the way.”