There they sit, the boots left behind. Never to be laced again, not by the one who wore them. They’re gone forever, but the reminders of them remain; the boots, to be sure, but the pictures, too. The memories. A small child in a fading photograph, grinning goofy smile. An Read more…
Summary: Kacie Kelly oversees and manages policy, operational, and programmatic efforts on veteran health and well-being, including the Warrior Wellness Alliance. She manages strategic efforts to promote the partnerships, collaboration, and alignment among organizations that are so crucial to fostering the health and well-being of post-9/11 Veterans. Prior to this Read more…
” I don’t belong here.” “This feels weird.” “I feel like a alien.” These are all things I’ve heard veterans say after leaving the military or returning from combat. Something changed, and they’re not sure what. It was them, sure, but it was also the community that they came back Read more…
One of the challenges with talking about veteran mental health in post military life is the first place that we all go to in our heads: that image of the crazy combat veteran sitting on the side of the road holding a sign. Or John Rambo or G.I. Jane. If Read more…
Summary: The Travis Manion Foundation works to strengthen America’s national character, while growing and developing character through the greater community. In an increasingly divisive cultural climate, TMF unites and strengthens communities. The organization believes that our nation needs role models that inspire and we should look no further than the Read more…
Faithful readers, I’ve got one heck of an announcement to make: I’ve been selected as one of the first group of veterans and non-veterans serving in leadership roles across the nation to participate in the Bush Institute Stand-To Veteran Leadership Initiative. For those of you who haven’t served, the concept Read more…
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others – Mahatma Ghandi One of the most common impacts of leaving the military is loss of meaning and purpose. Regardless of why we joined, while we were in the military, service members expended energy and effort Read more…
Summary: Marjorie Morrison, LMFT, LPCC, is the CEO of the PsychArmor Institute, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization she founded in 2014, which is committed to bridging the military-civilian divide by creating, promoting, and distributing free online courses covering a wide range of topics important to those who support the military community. She Read more…
It’s a statement that I’ve heard many veterans say: “I was told to just give it time, things would get better.” Is that really true? There is something very powerful about the passage of time, of course. Hindsight is 20/20, distance gives us perspective, and all that. But just allowing Read more…
Summary: Paul A. Dillon is a Certified Management Consultant with more than 42 years of experience in the professional services industry. He is the president and CEO of Dillon Consulting Services LLC, a U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs certified Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, based in Durham, NC and Read more…