Candy Lovett
Candy Lovett is a 44 year old disabled veteran of the first Persian Gulf War. Lovett joined the Military at the age of 29 as a means to earn college money and better provide for her son, Leon White, who was 9 years old at the time.
Candy spent the better part of her life in the printing/graphic arts business and has a 2 year degree in that field prior to the military. She also became a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant). She worked in Nursing homes. She loved the work so much that she wanted to become a RN (Registered Nurse) working in nursing homes. She went through basic training and AIT (Advanced Individual Training) to become a truck driver. While in AIT, she received a series of shots that caused her to stay in the hospital for 3-4 days with no diagnosis.
Lovett finished AIT and went on to Saudi Arabia in support of Operations Desert Shield/Storm. She spent 6 weeks there till she fell off a 5 ton truck. The 6 weeks she spent over there would forever change her life. Among her tasks were time burying bodies along the infamous “Highway of Death.†When she came back to the States, she became disillusioned with the military, as they sought to discharge her as she was disabled and useless to them. Lovett fought hard and finally received a 60% disability in which a year later she gained full disability status through the Veterans Administration, then returned to her home State of Florida to try and buy a home and settle down with her son.
Candy Lovett had a difficult time adjusting to life back at home; she became despondent and wanted to end her life as she felt it had no meaning. Then she was given the opportunity to return to Iraq with Veteran’s for Peace; it was in Iraq where she found healing and forgiveness for participating in the war. She returned the Florida determined to do whatever she could to help in other peace groups. In 2002 her son passed away with as a result of blood clot in his lungs due to a brain tumor.
Candy Lovett continues to work in the peace community doing what she can to share her story in hopes that it will change one life, one person at a time. She remains involved with the local Veterans for Peace in Gainesville, Florida as well as works as a counselor for the GI Rights Hotline (800-394-9544) and the local hotline in Gainesville, Florida. To tell her story, Lovett wrote the short book, “Gulf War Lab Rat,†and is working on another book in memory of her son. Lovett continues to share her experience and her work through peace community and sharing about those who have helped her feel that her life still serves a higher purpose.