About Us
A Warrior's Garden
Malachias R Gaskin, Founder
Malachias R Gaskin, Founder
A Warrior's Garden is a document of Malachias Journey of finding a self-therapeutic path to living with PTSD. Malachias has a goal of helping every veteran he can to find three piece of themselves. Spiritual, Creative, and Physical. And how to turn them from their what into their why and integrate them into their daily life.
Malachias R Gaskin, Founder
Malachias R Gaskin, Founder
Malachias R Gaskin, Founder
Malachias Gaskin Is the Author of “A Warrior’s Garden, Therapeutic guide to living with PTSD”, the founder of “Warfighter Gardens” a veteran’s and first responder garden therapy non for profit. Malachias joined the Indiana Army National Guard in Jan 1994 at 18 years old and served both as a Combat medic and an Infantryman for 9 years. In April 2006 He enlisted into the Active Army as a Combat medic and served for 8 years. He did 28 months in Iraq during the surge and Operation New Dawn. He was medically retired for PTSD, TBI, arthritis, hearing loss, and bursitis at 100% and retired to Columbia, Tennessee. He is married with three children.
After 3 years of counseling and medications from the Army, Malachias decided that he needed something more and transitioned to a more non-chemical based and alternative therapy based road to recovery. Using three main pillars, Faith (Spiritual), Music (Creative), and Organic Gardening (Physicality) “A Warrior’s Garden” and “Warfighter Gardens” were born.
Education:
B.S. Psychology
Psi Chi Psychology National Honors Society
Awards include:
Combat Medic Badge
Army Commendation Medal x5
Army Achievement Medal x4
Reserve component achievement medal x3
Army Good Conduct Medal x2
Valorous Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Citation x2
Presidential Unit Citation x2
Iraqi Campaign Medal w/3 Stars
Non-Commissioned Education Ribbon w/2
Overseas ribbon w/2
Tennessee Colonel Aide De Camp
Desmond Doss 2019 Humanitarian Award
Warfighter Gardens
Malachias R Gaskin, Founder
Warfighter Gardens
Warfighter Gardens is a 501c3 that focuses on using alternative self-therapy methods for treating PTSD specifically Individual Faith, Gardening, Agriculture, and Music therapies and more. We service Veterans, Law enforcement, First Responders, and their families. We are veteran founded and run.
WARFIGHTER GARDENS IS STAFFED 100% BY VOLUNTEERS. NO ONE TAKES A PAY CHECK.
Our mission is to provide:
1. Therapy gardens at no cost to Veterans, first responders, and their families.
2. Exposure to multiple different alternative modalities in self-therapy.
Warfighter Garden Team
Michael Doughty, Chief Operations Officer
Juan Palacios, Development Coordinator South East
Juan Palacios, Development Coordinator South East
My name is Michael Doughty, I hail from Columbus, Ohio. Growing up I was heading nowhere fast in my life and got into trouble. I had a judge give me the option to go to prison or join the military. I chose to enlist into the United States Army on September 11, 2007, as a combat medic, and it was the best decision of my life. That decisi
My name is Michael Doughty, I hail from Columbus, Ohio. Growing up I was heading nowhere fast in my life and got into trouble. I had a judge give me the option to go to prison or join the military. I chose to enlist into the United States Army on September 11, 2007, as a combat medic, and it was the best decision of my life. That decision literally saved my life and taught me how to be a functioning member of society. I deployed to Mosul, Iraq in October of 2009, and received my CMB (Combat Medic Badge) as well as my Purple Heart on Jan 12, 2010. After returning home from deployment my life started spiraling downward due to having undiagnosed PTSD. Towards end of 2012 I went though my first divorce and had my, at the time 6-month-old daughter, ripped out of my life and went through the toughest time of my life. I saw no end in sight and tried to take my own life. I am a suicide survivor! I called my best friend Malachias Gaskin after the attempt, and he literally saved my life as he got me on the right track. I fought for full custody of my daughter in my divorce, while I was not granted full custody, I was awarded physical custody. I got out of the military in March of 2015 and self-Isolated, which caused more harm than good. I am looking forward to continuing my growth and learning to control my PTSD instead of allowing it to control me. I also look forward to mentoring those that I am able as well as helping those find their purpose as well.
Awards:
Combat Medic Badge
Purple Heart
ARCOM x 2
AAM x3
Good Conduct Medal x 2
MUC
PUC
Iraqi Campaign Medal with Star
Overseas Medal
Juan Palacios, Development Coordinator South East
Juan Palacios, Development Coordinator South East
Juan Palacios, Development Coordinator South East
Juan joined the Army at 18 years of age July 9th, 2001. He served as a 63B (now 91B) All Wheeled Mechanic for 3rd ID, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 26th FSB. In 2004 he transitioned to SVC BTRY 1/143rd FA for the California National Guard. After a short 11-month period he reenlisted to Active Army where he was then again assigned to the 3rd ID
Juan joined the Army at 18 years of age July 9th, 2001. He served as a 63B (now 91B) All Wheeled Mechanic for 3rd ID, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 26th FSB. In 2004 he transitioned to SVC BTRY 1/143rd FA for the California National Guard. After a short 11-month period he reenlisted to Active Army where he was then again assigned to the 3rd ID. He had multiple tours in Iraq spanning from the surge from Kuwait into Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom I, OIF III, OIF V, OIF VII transitioning into the start of Operation New Dawn. Being a part of the security platoon called TopFlite, they were used to escort much needed supplies and equipment to all units in the division. Many assignments came up such as PSD, EOD Escort, DVART, QRF. Every deployment brought on new challenges, but they were all met with a force that could not be reckoned with. A group of individuals put together from all walks ensured that the combat arms units could focus on their mission while TopFlite kept them without need. Fast forward to April 7th, 2011 he left the Army and transitioned to the civilian sector. Going to school to become a Golf Professional he chose to caddy in the golf industry. His caddy career started at Harbour Town where they host of the RBC Heritage. Later becoming a caddy at Augusta National where they host the Masters. After some time, he began to work as a Subject Matter Expert II, Mid Atlantic Professionals, Inc. TA SSI. There he works as an assault force trainer providing pre deployment training, planning, and other military offensive and support operations utilizing intelligence to streamline unit integration into their assigned element in preparation for their deployment.
Awards Include:
Bronze Star Medal
Army Commendation Medal (4th Award)
Army Achievement Medal (4th Award)
Meritorious Unit Commendation (2nd Award)
USAF Presidential Unit Citation
Good Conduct Medal (3rdAward)
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon (4th Award)
Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon
Combat Action Badge
Driver and Mechanic Badge (2nd Award)
Perseverance Award (Professional Golfers Career College) Associates in Business Gol