WILMINGTON, N.C. — Even after 30 years of service to his country, retired Col. Eric Terashima feels that he still has more to give back – especially to those who have been instrumental in helping him along the way.
What You Need to Know
Col. Eric Terashima retired from the Marines just weeks ago after serving multiple tours overseas
He is now actively working to help over 24 people — interpreters and their families — immigrate to the U.S.
Interpreters' lives are in danger in Afghanistan because of their service to the U.S. military
When Terashima left Afghanistan in 2020 he reminded his local interpreters there that if they ever needed him, he was only a phone call away – his offer of assistance even extended as far as paying for their immigration. He knew that the financial situation in Afghanistan left them with no way of affording the medical costs, visas, passports and plane tickets needed for immigration.
“I'm going to take care of my guys,” Terashima said. “I want them out of there as fast as possible, to get them here and as safe as possible.”
Terashima lived side by side with the interpreters who aided the U.S. military overseas, and they became as close to him as his fellow soldiers. As far as he was concerned, his interpreters were in far greater danger than he was because they were now branded as traitors to their own country.
“Those of us in the military, we sign a blank check to the United States to support and defend the Constitution, and it's payable with our lives,” Terashima said. “We then take that and extend that to our brothers and sisters to our left and our right, and I extend that to my interpreters too.”
When U.S. forces leave an area, the interpreters remain behind with targets on their backs but no choice to continue living there.
“These guys actually send me pictures of their friends and family who have been killed,” Terashima said. “The level of danger out there is just so horrible.”
The colonel realized he had the resources at his disposal to give these families a whole new life, and if that meant sacrificing his time and money, it was more than worth it. After nearly a year of working to arrange the travel plans, he was able to welcome an interpreter and his wife and children to the land of opportunity in Dallas, Texas.
“It actually makes me feel uncomfortable when people refer to me as a hero,” Terashima said. “I'm like, 'No, I'm just Eric and I want to help.'”
A firm believer that you can't put a price on life, Terashima said this first airport reunion was more than enough reward. Now, he continues to stand by them and support them as they make their way in a foreign world.
“Now I'm doing something that's bigger than myself and that's why we join,” Terashima said. “We join to give back, something more than money can buy.”
If you would like to help support Terashima's mission, click here.
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