LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – Michael Edmond, a U.S. Navy veteran who served 14 years, is leading a mission to support former service members transitioning to civilian life. Through his nonprofit, Once Was Inc., Edmond provides resources and guidance based on his own experiences with homelessness and drug use after his discharge.
Edmond and his wife, Racquel, co-founded the organization to help veterans access benefits and essential services. The initiative follows Edmond’s own military career, which included deployments for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Edmond was attending the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1990 before he decided to enlist in the military. He chose the Navy after facing academic difficulties and watching his friends join the service. “I was attending USL back in 90. And I got put on academic probation,” Edmond said. “Wasted my parents’ money. Felt bad. And I remember I had two friends that joined the military. Smiley Thomas and Sydney Smith. So I said I think I can earn military grade benefits and I could also go and assist my friends and serve my country.”
His 14-year military career began at a boot camp in Orlando. His assignments took him to locations including Holy Loch, Scotland, Va. and Pensacola, Fla. During his service, he was deployed for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Edmond recalled his time on the ground during those deployments. “And that’s where I seen… I was on land where I seen action. Live action,” he said…