LEAGUE CITY, TX — What started as a heartfelt response to a national crisis has become a lifeline for local veterans.

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In 2012, headlines revealed a staggering statistic: an average of 21 U.S. military veterans were dying by suicide every day. For Marine veteran Jerry Clark, that number wasn’t just a number—it was a call to action.

Together with fellow veterans Dan Sedej, Pete Wolfe, Steve and Linda Parr, and the unforgettable “Gunny” Bob Syndele, Clark co-founded Transition Plus, a grassroots group with one mission: give veterans a safe place to talk, be heard, and heal.

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💬 “We couldn’t do everything,” Clark recalls, “but we could create a place where veterans could come, listen, share, and simply be there for one another.”

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From a humble start with just six veterans meeting in a small room at Bay Harbour United Methodist Church, the group has grown to welcome around 30 veterans every Thursday night and that number continues to grow.

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🪖 Vietnam vet David Frazier says the group has changed his life. “It’s helped me with nightmares, bad memories... even with my VA benefits. Everyone in here helps each other.” 💡Frazier now carries cards in his wallet to hand out to other veterans he meets, hoping to bring them into the fold.

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For Tom Latson, a former Cobra helicopter pilot in Vietnam, the camaraderie is unmatched:

“Even though I’m 80, I connect with guys in their 20s. We’ve seen the same darkness. And that connection? That’s what heals.”

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Michael McDonald, a 33-year-old Marine Corps vet who served in Afghanistan, says Transition Plus was exactly what he needed: “With PTSD, coming back to civilian life isn’t easy. Talking with others who’ve been there—it’s irreplaceable. I can’t imagine not being here.”

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This is what makes Transition Plus different—it’s not about programs or paperwork. It’s about presence. It’s about listening. It’s about showing up.

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And in today’s world, that matters more than ever.

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“Some who come here are on the edge,” Clark says. “We’re not therapists. We’re friends. And sometimes, that’s what saves lives.”

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📍 Want to make a difference?

Transition Plus continues its mission solely through the dedication of its founders and the generosity of donors like you. If you believe in giving our veterans the support they’ve earned, now’s the time. If you know of someone that could benefit, share this post and information with them.

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📅 Weekly Meetings:
Thursdays @ 6:30 PM
Bay Harbour United Methodist Church
3459 Deke Slayton Parkway, League City

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Because no veteran should have to walk the road alone. 💙