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Operation Barnabas | First Coast veteran operates non-profit to help struggling vets, first responders

Trey Fagan, a 17-year Marine veteran, founded Operation Barnabas two years ago, with the goal of helping veterans and first responders get back on their feet.

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — One First Coast veteran has made strides to aid veterans and first responders who are currently working to overcome struggles he himself has dealt with.

When 17-year Marine veteran Trey Fagan founded Operation Barnabas, his goal was clear --  he wanted to use his story to help heal his brothers and sisters in uniform.

Fagan has been affected by PTSD, TBI (traumatic brain injury) and addiction. After finding support in friends from the military, Fagan went through treatment and has since used his story to connect with others.

A man of faith, Fagan said his mission is to provide resources through Operation Barnabas. The non-profit offers peer mentorship, as well as help with substance abuse, mental health and homelessness.

"Being able to help other veterans and first responders going through something that I went through is soothing to me," Fagan said. "It makes me feel good. But on the flip side, as soon as you give something and not expect anything back in return, it's a really good feeling."

Operation Barnabas works with another non-profit called Project Sanctuary, which runs a healing retreat in Colorado for entire military families.

Fagan said Operation Barnabas has a camper that is used to house veterans between jobs, and also works to acquire lifts and handicap scooters.

"We try to stay connected to most of the individuals that we help, and nothing is more satisfying than hearing a success story or having somebody reach out to you and them expressing what you did for them and how it helped mold and change their life during that rough time," Fagan said.

Outside of the non-profit, Fagan also wrote a book called Untold Stories of Valhalla, which profiles 11 marines who were killed in combat. The proceeds from that book go directly to the families of the marines.

For more information about Operation Barnabas, as well as ways to support the non-profit, click here.

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