AHERO Needs You ! - AHEROUSA . org / donate Pay It Forward : Alva Stuckey from Wetumpka
By Ellis Eskew
In March this year , Alabama News Network carried a story about Al Stuckey , the much-loved dad of AHERO ’ s founder , Lee Stucky . Many of our readers know this wonderful man , so we decided to reprint this light-hearted story with edits permitted by its author .. ~ the editors
This week ’ s “ Pay it Forward ” honoree is 92-year-old Alva Stuckey from Wetumpka , who works hard to help Veterans in a suicide prevention program .
In 2009 , Alva ’ s son , Maj . Lee Stuckey , USMC , founded AHERO , a Veterans organization . The acronym stands for America ’ s Heroes Enjoying Recreation Outdoors .
The younger Stuckey had struggled with devastating issues upon returning from combat . “ After a real kinetic combat deployment , I came back with a lot of combat issues and went to take my own life ,” he said . “ My mom actually called my cell phone just as I was pulling the trigger .”
She had saved his life . Soon Lee realized that there were other Veterans dealing with the same issues , so he started the AHERO non-profit organization . At last count , AHERO had served almost 9,300 Veterans and stopped over 500 suicides by giving at-risk Vets the support they needed . At their farm in Shorter , Ala , the Stucky ’ s provide AHERO guest Veterans a place to relax and enjoy .
Alva Stuckey is the backbone of the program and is affectionately called “ Pinecone ” by all . He helps clear the land , driving tractors and picking up stuff including ( what else ?) pinecones .
“ Not only does he pick up pinecones , he also coordinates and does fundraising for us . Every dollar goes to supporting Veterans ,” said Lee . At 92-years-old , no one is slowing Pinecone down . “ God has blessed me in the fact that I can walk with the best of them . I can drive a tractor as well as whomever ,” said Alva Stuckey .
For all he does to pay it forward , the Vance Law Firm and Alabama News Network wanted to pay it forward to Pinecone . The “ pay it forward ” expression is one Lee himself uses when addressing the Veterans his organization helps . “ If you ’ ve been helped here , think about paying it forward to a fellow Vet who might need a friend ,” he ’ ll say .
“ Alva , thank you for your work in helping Veterans ! We want to pay it forward to you with [ a check for ] $ 333 !” said Stewart Vance of the Vance Law Firm during the celebration . “ Happy birthday and keep up the great work !”
Alva said it ’ s all going back to help our military Veterans . “ I ’ m giving it to AHERO !” he said . Because whether it ’ s picking up pinecones or driving a tractor , he ’ ll do whatever it takes for the heroes who have given so much .
“ Pinecone is out there making it all happen ,” said his son Lee . “ He ’ s the glue that is holding it together .”
Maybe best worn NOT during an Alabama August , Al !.
A one-of-a-kind gift for Stuckey ' s dad !
AHERO MAGAZINE SUMMER 2021 51