Pitchin’ for PTSD – In memory of Thomas Watkins

Over 30 teams competed in the fourth annual Pitchin for PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) Cornhole Tournament in Byron this weekend. The tournament is honor and memory of Sheila Melvin’s son Thomas R. Watkins. Melvin lost her son from the effects of PTSD in October 2013.

“We started this tournament back in 2014,” Melvin said, “and we did it around the time of his birthday, and this year’s tournament is extra special because it’s on his birthday (Jan. 13).”

Melvin said her son joined the Army when he was 22. Their family comes from a long line of military service members, so naturally she said that is why her son wanted to join.

“His dad was in the Navy and grandfather was in the Air Force,” Melvin said. “Ever since he was young that’s all he wanted to do was become a soldier. Then when 9/11 happened that just solidified it for him. So he joined up, went to Afghanistan, and when he came home he was not the same.”

Melvin said that her son suffered so much from PTSD that he tried to first commit suicide in 2008. She said he was on life support and was in a coma for five days.

“We got a miracle,” Melvin said. “At first the doctors pronounced him brain dead, but then he started showing signs of activity. They told us that if he were to come back he would not be able to speak or eat, etc. But like I said, we got a miracle and he didn’t suffer any loss of functions.”

Melvin said her son was still suffering from PTSD.

“It was hard, and we fought really hard trying to get him help,” Melvin said. “You know, we would be riding down the road and when he would stop at a red light he would scan the rooftops of buildings for snipers. Anytime he heard a sonic boom he would run for cover, and when the fourth of July came around, he absolutely could not bear it. As a mother, it breaks your heart because there’s nothing you can do about it. (They’re) wounds no one can see. He would also wake up in the middle of the night screaming and saying ‘help, I’m on fire’ or walking around the house in the middle of the night because he can’t find his weapon.

“When he passed, I wanted to do something in his memory and also help other veterans who suffer from PTSD,” she said. “As a family, cornhole is something we play a lot and have always took part in charity tournaments. So, I thought we could do that and raise money for those veterans.”

Melvin said originally the funds from the tournament were donated to the VA clinic in Dublin, but the person who she worked with got promoted to another state. She and her husband began searching for another organization and found the Georgia VECTR (Veterans Education Career Transition Resource) Center in Warner Robins.

Georgia VECTR Center’s chief operating officer, Patricia Ross, said they are thrilled to be partnered in the tournament.

“This is an incredible event that supports an important cause,” Ross said. “We are very grateful that Sheila and her husband found us. It’s important for veterans to know that they are not alone in this matter. There are organizations like us who can help connect you to the resources that can help you and your family members. It’s exciting that the president just passed the executive order that gives health benefits for the veterans’ first year after service. That should be a big help for them. But how our center works is when a veteran comes in, they will be greeted by one of our counselors who have either served in the military or is a spouse of military member. We then get to know them on a deeper level, find what their needs are and connect them with resources either in our community or throughout the state.”

Melvin said she is grateful for all of the support from the tournament.

“It has been amazing the support we have received from people who participate in our tournament,” Melvin said. “We hope to continue to grow. And to the families who have loved ones suffering from PTSD, don’t give up. Keep fighting for the rights of your veteran and get the help that is due to them. We finally did, but it was a little too late. But help is out there, and we are going to keep doing our part in raising funds for these veterans to get that help.”