ROCKY TOP, Tenn. — US Army Veteran Chris Pebley served his country, twice.
The second tour was hard.
"When he returned home I knew. I couldn't see my son. I couldn't and I knew something was wrong," his mother, Lisa Pebley, said.
Chris came home to Rocky Top,formerly Lake City, and struggled with PTSD.
His symptoms immersed Lisa Pebley in the VA health system, arranging care, navigating paperwork. She found resources and shared them with other.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free 24/7 service at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
The VA Hotline is 1-855-948-2311. The hotline is staffed by more than 60 agents who have had extensive training on VA programs and services.
"I became Mom on Mission, MOM. And I was bound and determined whatever it took, whatever I had to do, I was not going to give up on him. I was going to get help."
She did.
"Once got Chris got better we went to the VA. We visited up here in Campbell County. Now we've been everywhere but Campbell County is open now and it's closer so we went up there. They are awesome people. They have been a big help to me. They've been a blessing, they really have."
How could they be a blessing back? Without a lot of resources to spare?
"They didn't have a candy dish and I thought I can do this. I can buy a little dollar dish and a dollar bag of candy. Well, little did I know it's going on five years now,"she said. "It literally went from a little dish - and the veterans loved it - to a pail to a bucket to a huge basket."
Candy for our Veterans supports veterans one piece of candy at a time.
"It's an appreciation thing. After they come out of the doctors visit there's this candy basket," she said.
She replenishes it about once a month, which has been harder to do during the pandemic because she has some health issues.
People drop off candy for the cause at the Corner Drug Store in Rocky Top and at the VA Clinic in LaFollette.
"Donate that candy. Take it the VA. You don't even have to go in. There will be a nurse at the bottom and you can just drop it off to them and tell them it's for the VA, Candy for our Veterans. They know exactly what you're talking about."
Lisa Pebley is an advocate for veterans, some know her as the candy lady, and she thinks of herself as Chris's mom.
And she makes sure to acknowledge any stranger she meets who is a veteran.
"Thank you is such a simple word to say. Thank you for your services."
Lisa started a Facebook page called Candy for our Veterans. It has more than 1,300 members who support and encourage each other.