MACON, Ga. — Everywhere Army veteran James Dennis goes, it's all handshakes and thank you's for his service during the Vietnam War that earned him a Purple Heart.
"I was doing my job, doing my duty," Dennis said. "That's what I was supposed to do. I was trained to do. I'm no hero."
In combat, he took shrapnel to his leg and foot, and almost needed an amputation.
"You had to soldier there, if you wanted to live," Dennis said. "I wanted to live, I had a reason to live. I had a wife and a daughter. And I wasn't going to die there. I made up my mind, I refuse to die there. And that's what I did, I stayed alive," Dennis said.
The military flew him to a Japanese hospital for treatment. Then, he went back to Vietnam to finish up his tour. What got him through the tough times was the thought of reuniting with his wife and new daughter.
"We didn't even know each other," Dennis said. "I hadn't seen her since she was born in November and I left in December. And so when I come back, she was walking, talking."
Today, Dennis is 82-years-old and after a new home heating unit disrupted his billing cycle, he looked for help paying the large bill.
United Way of Central Georgia stepped up to pay the bill of more than $500.
"What we found out is that a lot of veterans, they have their structure in the military. But once they transition (into society), that structure is lacking," Mission United Director Daniel Charles said.
He said they help veterans in a multitude of ways. Under their Mission United sector, they help veterans get back on their feet.
"Employment, right?" Charles said. "Helping them with their resumes, transportation, getting them to the VA and back. We've done dental care. Counseling, rental assistance, utility assistance, housing assistance is a big one. And also food insecurity."
And they do a lot more for others too. United Way of Central Georgia provides social services to groups like the homeless community, and school children.
Charles said he was honored to work with Dennis to find a solution for him.
"He's a hero, he's done a lot for our country, he's fought for our country," Charles said "It was a pleasure for us to serve him."
United way of Central Georgia has a support center people can reach out to, to be connected with assistance for food pantries, rent, caregiving, electric bills, shelter, and housing. That number is 211, and you can call or text that number to reach their support team. You can find more information about that here.