6th Annual Orlando Rocks for Veterans Honoree Ret. US Navy Kelly Smith

Yesterday was one of my favorite events. It was the 6th Annual Orlando Rocks for Veterans at VFW Post 4287 in Orlando, sponsored by Semper Fidelis America. 

This year, I am dealing with a lot of back problems, so not the same footage as previous years, but as you can see, we still had a great day for a great lady!

 Kelly Smith and Cook

 CB Mike, Seabees

 Hubby visiting after he locked me up!

 And yes, he took my camera away too!

This is Jason. He was locked up more than most people.

And yes, we locked up his adorable baby son too!

VA’s Center for Women Veterans to highlight, connect and inform

VA’s Center for Women Veterans to highlight, connect and inform women Veterans through outreach and social media
VAntage Point
Department of Veterans Affairs
Danielle Corazza
February 28 2018

The women Veteran population is growing and VA is stepping up to meet the need through innovative programming and services specifically designed to serve women. But, once the programs are deployed, how do we get the word out? How do we ensure that women Veterans self-identify and take advantage of the benefits they’ve earned and deserve? And, how do we capture the sentiment and reality of what women Veterans are experiencing so we can raise those voices to drive effective policy?

My name is Danielle Corazza, and after 15 years serving Veterans from outside the government, I’m thrilled to be the first national outreach coordinator for VA’s Center for Women Veterans. As part of my new role and responsibilities, I’ll be working to expand the center’s outreach efforts through in-person events and digital outreach, primarily in the area of social media. Which leads me to some exciting news.

In conjunction with the Women Veteran Athlete Initiative kickoff and Women’s History Month, we are excited to announce that the Center for Women Veterans is launching women-Veteran dedicated social media channels on March 1. We will use the @VAWomenVets moniker for both Facebook and Twitter – like or follow us to stay informed.

These new accounts will give us greater flexibility in how women Veterans communicate with us and how we disseminate important news, research, events and program information to women Veterans and community stakeholders. All the information from across VA and the Veteran community curated for women Veterans, by women Veterans and in an easily accessible social media streaming format.

We hope you’ll follow us, retweet us and generally get involved in sharing your experiences and thoughts as we develop this new information pipeline. Feel free to send feedback and thoughts as the month progresses – there’s a stellar amount of information of all sorts hitting the presses soon, so stay tuned.
Women's History Month
Center for Women Veterans Facebook

See a female veteran as one of you

Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
January 21, 2018

When I was growing up getting sassy was something bad. I heard that remark from my Mom probably more than a thousand times. (Gee, I'm sure no one was shocked by that.)

It is defined as "Lively, bold, and full of spirit; cheeky." Safe bet there are times when you are feeling like you are the only one feeling miserable, it would be comforting to know someone else felt the same way. Makes it even better to know that feeling that way is not all there is. 

The best comedy shows we watch have something most of us go through and then spin it around to make us laugh. Seeing it in a different way, especially in a funny way, makes it seem less like a burden we'll never be free of, to something that is part of our past.

For some reason when I was channel surfing I thought about how few movies there are with female soldiers, or even veterans as the lead character. I thought about all the Civil War movies and how Dr. Mary Edwards Walker did not manage to deserve a movie script even though she is the only female to have received the Medal of Honor. Yes, the Medal of Honor.

I searched for more reminders of women who fought for this country, right along side of men, even though sometimes, they had no clue the soldier next to them was female.

"More than 400 women disguised themselves as men and fought in the Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War."

Most of the time when women are gathered at veterans events, the males are thanked for their service, but females are lucky if the same person acknowledges them with a simple "hello."

Keeping with slamming-shaming suicide awareness as fake news, when was the last time you saw any of them talking about female veteran suicides?

The Department of Veterans Affairs put out "Facts About Suicide Among Women Veterans" August 2017

"From 2001 through 2014, the suicide rate among women Veterans increased to a greater degree (62.4 percent) than the suicide rate among male Veterans (29.7 percent)."

As you just read, yet one more group that has been left out of all the "awareness" being picky on who they want you to care about. Most of the groups talk about OEF and OIF veterans, failing to mention that the largest group needing help are over the age of 50...older veterans waiting longer for help. I don't know when the last time I read anything about any awareness being raised for female veterans.

If you are a female veteran and found help to heal, please share it with other female veterans. PTSD does not just hit females like too many assume, with sexual assaults, but the same way males are hit by it...combat zones chaos. It can hit you as a nurse, as much as it can hit you as a truck driver. It can hit you even if you did not deploy overseas but did your duty at Dover or in any of the military hospitals. Only you can understand them and it is very unlikely you will minimize anything they try to open up about.

If you SEE a female veteran looking lost in a crowd, go over and ASK her where she served, or what branch, or anything that will let her know that someone just acknowledged she serve too. SPEAK about your own service and SHARE something about YOURSELF with a good attitude and let her find some hope in what you are standing as an example of as a survivor.

Females may be the smallest group of veterans in the country but you are worth a lot more attention than anyone gives you credit doing.

Wounded Female Veteran Saved 500!

‘Molded and crafted by heroes’

Fayetteville Observer
Michael Futch
January 14, 2018 

Sellers, who previously served with the 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas, said she helped save over 500 lives down range in Afghanistan by standing between the suicide bomber and the participants in a Veterans Day run.

India Sellers-Walker received the keys to her newly refurbished 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer from a skydiving former Army Golden Knight.

The 70 or so on hand, who witnessed Mike Elliott’s long descent from a darkening cloudy sky, loved it.

On Saturday afternoon, Sellers-Walker, a 26-year-old member of the Fort Bragg Warrior Transition Battalion, received the sports utility vehicle as a gift from Caliber Collision’s Changing Lanes Academy and the U.S. Veterans Corps. The car donation, part of the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides program, was presented to her during a program held under cloudy skies on the parade field outside the Airborne & Special Operations Museum.

“This is a very special gift,” said Larry Keen, who is president of Fayetteville Technical Community College. “It has been molded and crafted by heroes.”

Changing Lanes was developed in partnership with FTCC and Fort Bragg’s Career Skills Program. It is one of the first programs in the nation to provide transitioning service members with training and employment opportunities in the collision repair industry.

The Warrior Transition Battalion nominated Sellers-Walker for the vehicle, which was donated by Jennifer and Mike Burch of Holly Springs.

She said she can use the extra room in it.

Since a Veterans Day suicide bomb attack inside Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan on Nov. 11, 2016, Sellers-Walker has undergone 26 surgeries for the extensive injuries that riddled her body. 
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Julia Jacobson and her dog found in shallow grave

UPDATE

Coroner Identifies Remains of Missing 

Retired Army Veteran Found in Southern 

California Desert

Remains of Missing Army Veteran Found Buried in California

AP

December 1, 2017

ONTARIO, Calif. (AP) — Authorities in Southern California believe they've found the remains of a retired Army captain who went missing in September.

Police in the city of Ontario say Friday that they found the remains of Julia Jacobson and her dog in a shallow grave.

Investigators say her remains were found after a tip from her ex-husband, Dalen Ware, of Phoenix. He was arrested in October on suspicion of murder in connection with her death.

Investigators have not disclosed a motive for the killing.

Jacobson had been last seen Sept. 2 and days later her SUV was found near her San Diego home with keys in the ignition.

read more here

Operation Tohidu® Focuses on Female Veterans With PTSD

Healing Invisible Wounds: Nonprofit Melwood offers free program to help female veterans cope with service-related trauma

WTOP News

Federal programs are failing to meet the needs of the more than two million women veterans in the U. S., many of whom are suffering from the invisible wounds of service-related trauma and stress.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), a study on traumatic stress in female veterans released this past March reported that one out of five who served in Iraq and Afghanistan has been diagnosed with post traumatic dress disorder (PTSD). 

Additionally, one out of four female veterans who use the VA health care system report they’ve experienced military sexual trauma. Yet, as a 10 percent minority of the overall veteran population, female-specific health issues are consistently underserved. A 2016 study of the challenges women face when they leave the military documents the gaps in federal programs and services for female veterans.

Operation Tohidu® for Women is a weeklong experiential rehabilitation program focusing on healing the invisible wounds of female military service members. The program offers confidence building, outdoor activities, and group discussion to help women warriors overcome obstacles to their recovery.  

Operation Tohidu® helps female veterans and active-duty military cope with sexual trauma, (PTSD), and traumatic brain injury. All participants’ expenses to attend the retreat, including travel, meals and housing, are completely covered by donations to Melwood Veterans Services.
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Women Veterans 'It Was Just The Thing To Do'

6 Women Veterans Recall Their Military Service: 'It Was Just The Thing To Do'

NPR

Isabel Dobrin

Jennifer Kerrigan

November 11, 2017

"I went home that night, and my mom had life insurance policies for all the kids ... and I told her I needed the number for my life insurance policy, and she said 'What in the world do you need that for?' and I said, 'I joined the Navy today,' and she flipped. But it was the best thing I did, joining the Navy." Helen Sadowski, US Navy

There are more than 21 million military veterans in the country, according to a 2016 report from the Department of Veterans Affairs. About 2 million of those are women.

In commemoration of Veterans Day, NPR spoke with six women veterans living at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, D.C., to find out what their service means to them. 

Here are their stories.

20th Anniversary Women in Military Service for America Memorial

Female service members: 'We've touched every kind of service'
The Washington Post
By TARA BAHRAMPOUR
Published: October 21, 2017

ARLINGTON, Va. — Elvira Chiccarelli grew up during the Vietnam War and felt a call to serve her country. Her mother had been a cadet nurse in World War II, and in 1975 Chiccarelli, a dentist, joined the Air Force. But when she reported for duty, her commanding officer told her that he did not want women working there and assigned her to an auxiliary unit.

Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Rosemary Masters, left, listens to one of the speakers.

SALWAN GEORGES/THE WASHINGTON POST

On Saturday, watching the celebration for the 20th anniversary of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, the retired lieutenant colonel's eyes got misty.

"We've touched every kind of service - medical, dental, computers, flying," said Chiccarelli, 67, who had traveled from Panama City Beach, Florida, to attend with her daughter, who is in the Air Force and shares the same name. "Any place they needed people, women have stepped forward and demanded to give our talents to the country."

Women have been enlisting in the U.S. Armed Forces since 1917, but it wasn't until 1997 that a memorial was erected for them. The arched semicircle and reflecting pool at the top of the road that leads to Arlington National Cemetery is still the only major national memorial honoring the 3 million women who have served.
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And they have also received every Military Award including the Medal of Honor

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker
Mary Walker was born on November 26, 1832, in Oswego, New York. She graduated from Syracuse Medical College and, while serving as an assistant surgeon during the Civil War, was captured by the Confederate army. She was awarded a Medal of Honor for her service, and went on to lecture on women's rights, dress reform and suffrage. Walker died in Oswego in 1919.

Missing Veteran Julia Jacobson's Ex-Husband Arrested

Missing Army Veteran Julia Jacobson Now Believed Dead, Ex-Husband Arrested
NBC News
by BIANCA HILLIER
October 17, 2017

A San Diego Army veteran who disappeared last month is now believed to be dead, according to local officials.

Julia Jacobson, 37, has been missing since September 2, 2017. She was last seen on security video at a store in Ontario, California with her Wheaten Terrier, Boogie. According to a press release from the Ontario Police Department on October 16, “detectives now have reason to believe” Julia and Boogie are both deceased.

While Julia and Boogie’s remains have not yet been located, on Friday October 13, police arrested Julia’s ex-husband on suspicion of her murder.

According to the press release, through a coordinated effort with the Phoenix Police Department and the FBI’s Arizona Violent Crimes Task Force unit, Dalen Larry Ware was arrested at his home in Laveen, Arizona. He was then transferred to the San Bernardino County West Valley Detention Center and is awaiting booking.
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Amputee 94-year-old World War II Veteran Stands for National Anthem!

Missing leg won't keep 94-year-old veteran from standing for national anthem

The Buffalo News 
By LOU MICHEL 
October 5, 2017

Marian Morreale, a Coast Guard veteran, was honored during the national anthem at the Buffalo Sabres home opener on Friday, October 6 2017.SCREENSHOT VIA NHL

Marian Morreale has been practicing how to stand for the last three months. She is a 94-year-old World War II veteran and her left leg was amputated last year.

But she practiced standing so that she could when the national anthem  opening game of the Sabres tonight.

She is trying to make a point.

"I think for these young athletes and the salaries they make, they should stand for the national anthem," she said. "But I don't think our president should use that word, SOB." 
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Fort Snelling Veteran Volunteer Received Veterans Voices Award

An army of one: Farmington veteran Marilyn Anderson honored for volunteerism
Farmington Independent
By William Loeffler
Sep 30, 2017

The actions of people like Anderson exemplify mission of Veterans Voices, which is to let them dictate their own narrative, O'Fallon said.

"They say, 'We get trapped into two stories: "You're a hero, thanks for your service," or, 'Oh my God, maybe you're troubled and have PTSD and we don't know how to talk to you,'" he said.

Marilyn Anderson of Farmington (left) was presented with a Veterans Voices Award Sept. 11 at the University of St. Thomas Anderson Student Center in Saint Paul. She is pictured with Humanities Center board member Sakinah Mujahid. Submitted photo courtesy of Minnesota Humanities Center

Army veteran Marilyn Anderson of Farmington was honored with a Veterans Voices Award Sept. 11 at the University of St. Thomas Anderson Student Center in St. Paul.

She is one of 13 legacy veterans in the 40-and-over category to be honored by the Minnesota Humanities Center for their community contributions that extend beyond their military service.

"Everything that she's learned in the military about leadership, teamwork, concern for others, she applies across the whole community in extraordinary ways," Humanities Center president David O'Fallon said.

Anderson works as the education services specialist for the 88th Regional Support Command at Fort Snelling. She has volunteered for Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Program, Heritage Village, Ronald McDonald House at the Children's Hospital of Minneapolis, Habitat for Humanity, Toys for Tots and Feed My Starving Children.
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Candlelight Vigil For Missing Veteran Julia Jacobson

UPDATE

"Won't Give up": Vigil Held for Missing Army Veteran Julia Jacobson

The 37-year-old retired Army captain was last spotted on surveillance by police in Ontario, California a little more than a week ago. Surveillance at a Kearny Mesa 7/11 caught her on camera earlier that same day.

Candlelight vigil held for missing Army veteran

KUSI News

September 17, 2017

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — A candlelight vigil will be held Sunday night as the search for a missing U.S. Veteran continues. 

37-year-old Julia Jacobson was last seen Labor Day weekend at a Serra Mesa 7-Eleven, according to a social media page dedicated to finding her. 

Concerned friends, neighbors and community volunteers canvass neighborhoods around Jacobson's Idaho Street home last weekend in hopes of jogging a crucial memory from someone who may have seen her over the last week. That canvass has yet to bring up any addition information. . 

Jacobson's company car, a white Chevrolet Equinox, was found abandoned two weeks ago on the 2600 block of Monroe Avenue, a few blocks from her home, with the keys in the ignition and the windows all partially rolled down.

Police subsequently determined that Jacobson -- a corporate real estate broker for 7-Eleven who deployed to Iraq twice during her military career -- had been in Ontario on Saturday night, SDPD Lt. Mike Holden said. Why she was there and whether she indeed had been in the Riverside County desert, as well, that evening remained under investigation, he said.

Detectives have spoken with Jacobson's ex-husband, who lives in Arizona, and found him cooperative, according to Holden.

The missing woman's older sister, Casey Jacobson of North Dakota, described the circumstances of her sibling's disappearance as puzzling, saying the former servicewoman would never willingly leave her work vehicle unsecured with the ignition key and a company gas card inside.

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