Story and photo by
Blair Martin
Contributing Writer

Thanks to The Mission Continues, a unique outreach program, many wounded, disabled or retired veterans who still want to serve their country are being given a second chance.

The non-profit organization's mission is to unite veterans and fellow citizens in "shared service to our nation."

One of the group's several philanthropic projects is a fellowship program which is awarded only to wounded, disabled or retired veterans interested in public service, but whose disabilities prevent them from continuing to serve in the military.

"The Mission Continues Fellowship program is designed for those who can no longer serve the country in uniform, but who still have a desire to serve," said Chris Marvin, national director of The Mission Continues. "We challenge those who have been injured in combat or in the line of duty to continue their mission of service here at home."

Other Mission Continues projects include a warriors in service program, which specifically targets wounded service members and allows them to organize and lead service projects, and a Veterans Tribute program, that allows citizens to complete service projects on behalf of a fallen service member.

"The Mission Continues [organization] is not a charity, it is a challenge," said Marvin, who is also a retired Army captain. "We award service fellowships to wounded and disabled veterans for volunteer service in their communities."

Marvin said during typical fellowships, wounded veterans are able to serve their local communities by volunteering full-time over a 14-week period at charitable organizations of their choosing. The fellow also receives a $6,000 grant in order to defray the cost of living expenses, he added.

"During the fellowship, the fellow not only strengthens his or her community, but also shows the community and the nation that we still need the service of veterans, despite any wounds or disabilities," said Marvin.

Army Infantry Capt. Nicholas Iorio said he volunteers 20 hours each week at the Bishop Museum as part of his fellowship with the Mission Continues organization.

Iorio said he decided to become a fellow because he thought it would be a "healthy distraction" during his long rehabilitation process for a gunshot wound he sustained while during his deployment to Iraq.

"The Mission Continues program gave me something healthy to work on in between my rehabilitation therapy and appointments," he said. "The fellowship has allowed me to interact with various companies and

programs that also support local community events."

Iorio, who plans to transition out of the Army in the next few months, said the program allows people in his situation to volunteer in productive roles within the local community, while still representing the military.

"After [some] people leave the military, they can have feelings of regret and still have a [real] need to still serve in some capacity," he said. "Since joining this program, I have felt like a real team member, which is something that I sincerely missed after getting injured and [having to] rehabilitate alone."

After a series of back injuries, Marine Corps Master Sgt. Dionisios Nicholas said he reluctantly decided to retire from the military, but still wanted to pursue constructive work in his local community.

"I was not ready to hang up my uniform," said the Hawai'i resident. "I wanted to continue service to my country. [But] like anything I do in my life, I assess the situation, pray and remain patient."

Nicholas said his patience was rewarded when he received a Mission Continues fellowship last November. Today, he currently works three days a week as a volunteer for the National Park Service at the USS Arizona Memorial.

Nicholas credits his Mission Continues fellowship for giving him a fresh, positive outlook on his post-military life.

"Veterans are proud and typically do not like handouts or sympathy," he said. "The [fellowship] saved my life and proves to be great opportunity for placing veterans into the workforce with very positive results."

Marvin said in order to qualify for a Mission Continues fellowship the applicants must be military service members with an injury or disability that prevents them from continuing their service in the military. They also must have volunteer service at a non-profit organization or charitable community program that demonstrates a "tangible good to the local community."

Mission Continues fellow Iorio will also be leading a "Salute the Troops" event on May 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Bishop Museum. The event will include entertainment, games and family fun activities as well as behind-the-scenes tour of the museum. During this military appreciation day, admission is free for all kama'aina, military service personnel and their families.

For more information on the Mission Continues or fellowship program, visit www.missioncontinues.org or contact Chris Marvin at cmarvin@citizenleadership.org.