Happy endings aren’t just for the movies. This was the case with former Jamestown College groundskeeper and Iraqi veteran John Awander. This is a story of struggle, valor, and inspiration.

It all started in 2007 on an Iraq tour when Awander said he fell down. At first it didn’t bother him, but he later found out from his doctors that he had a compressed disk in his lower back, handicapping his ability to walk and even work. The doctors said it was a result of his military service.

“As I was riding around over [in Iraq] the weight of the equipment kept irritating my back,” Awander said. “Going on missions in vehicles…over there you are sitting on hard seats and bouncing around.”

Awander went to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs for help. However, the VA considered Awander’s condition pre-existing. He could not qualify for benefits.

“I was here working as a groundskeeper before, and it didn’t bother me,” Awander said. “When I came back I couldn’t do that, so that was my argument. They said it didn’t get worse while I was over there.”

Awander said he was surprised and frustrated he wasn’t getting his benefits since he received them when he hurt his shoulder while on duty in Minot, N.D. His next thought was how they were going to keep his house and continue to support his family with wife Angela.

“We were down and out,” Awander said as he laughed. “We were wondering what was going to happen. We were selling quite a few things just to survive.”

That was when Roger Parsons and Cathy Lutz heard about the Awanders through the Caring Fund in Jamestown. They decided to head a committee to put on a spaghetti feed benefit. Parsons said the benefit served 425 people, but numerous people helped, according to Lutz.

“We started with not knowing how large this was going to be,” Lutz said. “It really got started with the Collegian article. That was sent around, and we really got a big response.”

Lutz said college organizations, city businesses, the National Guard and many others supported the event. Aramark donated the food for the benefit while others donated 50 silent auction baskets and money. All together Lutz said the benefit raised over $12,000 for the Awander family.

“It was a lot of hard work,” Parsons said. “But it was definitely worth the final outcome.” Lutz added that it was a community effort.

“The actual benefit itself was awesome,” Awander said. “The community and college response was great. It is the best experience I have seen as far as people helping others.”

The story does have a happy ending. The VA decided to take a second look at Awander’s situation. According to Parsons, the VA called Awander shortly after the benefit and verbally told him he had his benefits. The VA still is calling it pre-existing but said it got worse while he was in Iraq, and that’s what got it overturned to a degree, according to Awander. He said he could focus on getting fixed, finding a job and, ultimately, his family.

Awander said he had the Collegian and Jamestown Sun articles to thank. As JC news and information writer Erin Klein said, “It was as if he was a story instead of a number.”

“When people read about this, they questioned why this is happening,” Awander said. “The happening and why was a bad experience, but the experience that I got with the help from everyone was wonderful.”

-- April Baumgarten