BIDDEFORD — Mike Payeur earned a Purple Heart for his service in the war in Iraq, as a member of a U.S. Army unit that lost 110 fellow soldiers during its deployment in 2006-07. It’s his mother, though, who he thinks deserves an award.

Pam Payeur is the founder of The Warrior Legacy Foundation’s Wounded Heroes Program of Maine, a group that helps injured veterans through the period when they are waiting for government aid.

“It opened her eyes a bit when I got injured,” said Mike, who came home from his service with post-traumatic stress disorder and brain injuries and who is considered 80 percent disabled.

Mike was injured in May 2007 while serving in Baqouba, when the tank in which he was riding hit an improvised explosive device. He suffered a broken foot, spider fractures in both legs from the knees down, a neck injury and back injuries, said Pam.

While he recovered, she helped her son through the maze of paperwork that is the reality of getting government benefits ”“ and for the past year, has dedicated herself full time to helping other veterans, too.

Mike said he was lucky to be immediately plugged into Social Security benefits, and had “amazing” case managers during his rehabilitation period. Even so, he said, his mother’s work made the process a lot easier.

“She knew the right people, had access to the right paperwork,” he said. “She puts in so much time and energy ”“ and heart, even more than that. She’s an amazing person.”

Wounded Heroes is a statewide organization that operates out of Pam’s Biddeford home, with seven core members as well as others, all volunteers. Like her, most of the members have military ties, either personally or through family members.

“This was a healthier way to channel my worry overload,” she said. “I became a voice for them.”

The Veterans Administration system is overwhelmed, she said. Those who serve overseas are released from service and sent home if they are injured. Their active duty pay ends and the process of getting disability payments lasts at least one year ”“ up to two years for an appeal if the decision is unfavorable.

“This should not be happening,” said Pam. “They deserve to live a life with as much dignity and respect as they’ve earned.”

Wounded Heroes treasurer Barbara St. Onge joined the group along with her husband Don after they learned that Mike had been injured in combat. The St. Onge’s son, Chris, went to school with Mike and has also served overseas, in the Navy Reserves.

“When she told me how long it took these guys to get their pay once they were back in the states, I went, ”˜That’s not right,’” said St. Onge.

She applauded Pam for her ability to work directly with struggling veterans.

“I can’t do it, I’d get too emotional with them, I’d give them everything I have,” she said. “That’s not what they need ”“ they want to get on their own two feet.”

Coming back from service with a disability “makes you feel like you have to mooch on people,” said Mike. He was accustomed to being independent since he left home at 17 years old to join the military, where he was on his own, bringing in his own paycheck, he said.

“You’re so self-sustaining ”¦ we rely on each other in combat to keep us alive, but we don’t want to have to rely on people to do day-to-day things. It’s completely demeaning.”

Pam said her goal is to help veterans through the transition period until they can regain their independence.

With the instances of brain injury on the rise during recent wars, many veterans look fine on the outside, but they’re not all right on the inside, she said. Many of them go through a stage of denial.

“They’re not ready to believe they’re in these circumstances,” she said, and many don’t reach out until they are in desperate need of help.

All the donations for the program stay in Maine to provide goods and services to veterans, and in the past year Pam said they have helped 14 veterans. Their military and financial status are verified through paperwork, she said, and then she helps connect the person with whatever resources are available ”“ whether the need is for heating assistance, car repairs, or gift cards for clothing and groceries. From there, Pam makes sure to connect them with all the available assistance programs through the Veterans Administration and state.

Dennis Rytky, a veteran of the war in Iraq, came upon the Warrior Legacy Foundation after years of struggling for his benefits, he said, and Pam has helped put him in touch with Washington lawyers who will work pro bono on veterans’ disability cases.

“The paperwork and red tape with the government is horrendous,” he said. “I had been going through the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and the VA and wasn’t getting anywhere.”

Rytky, of Sprucehead, said he suffers from a bacterial infection that he contracted during his service in Iraq, and though he is 80 percent disabled, he is on his third appeal for full benefits.

“It’s a great organization,” he said of Wounded Heroes. “Most civilians don’t realize how many problems there are.”

Amy Marcotte, team leader at the Sanford Vet Center, said she is familiar with Pam through her work with Operation Homefront, which connects veterans with resources regionally. She applauded Payeur for taking the next step to help veterans get all the government benefits to which they are entitled.

“It’s a pretty complicated system,” said Marcotte, “”¦ so to have somebody to mentor and help them through that system ”“ what a great resource.”

Mike said his mother’s foundation gives veterans awareness and the confidence that they “can get it done, they’re not alone.”

“It’s overwhelming to say the least,” said Mike. “The government will gladly send you on your way without telling you absolutely everything ”“ the physical, emotional and psychological impairments ”“ and we don’t have the ability to handle it.”

Wounded Heroes has been working closely with the Patriot Riders, Patriot Guard Riders and United Bikers of Maine to fundraise and will be hosting a charity motorcycle ride July 10. As well, a large yard sale is planned to benefit the group June 19 at Cabela’s in Scarborough. Wounded Heroes will also be represented in the Biddeford-Saco Memorial Day parade.

Visit www.warriorlegacyfoundation.org for more information.

— City Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 322 or kristenm@journaltribune.com.