Back on the Homefront
The adjustment from active duty to civilian life is rife with joy, emotion and challenges alike. Ponder the true nature of post-army homecomings and the reality of transitioning from soldier to veteran.
Military Life
Depression and suicide in the military is a real thing. I never related or had experiences until recently this year. Questions started racing through my head like why am I always feeling like this? I’m not like myself..what is wrong with me? Why am I not getting the help I ask for? Is it because I’m struggling with my kids? Is it because I’m away from family? To get to the cause of the problem it was because I was having trouble in the workplace.
By Victoria Coston7 years ago in Serve
10 Things You Should Never Say to a Veteran. Top Story - August 2018.
In the United States, there are over two million military services members including active and reserve forces, but there are more than twentymillion living veterans, with the oldest among them having served in World War II. Many of these veterans were conscripted, but most volunteered to serve their country. All of them are equally deserving of our thanks as a nation. While many retired service members appreciate gestures of gratefulness, many people cross the line with inappropriate questions or misguided statements that can offend the men and women who served our country. If you want to avoid making them feel guilty or uncomfortable, here are some things you should never say to a veteran.
By Joseph D. N. Kendrick7 years ago in Serve
Tax Tips for Military Personnel. Top Story - June 2018.
Military life can be complicated, and so can handling finances in the military, including your taxes. But by understanding items like your gross income, moving expenses, and other miscellaneous deductions, you can make filing your return easier.
By Brian McCann8 years ago in Serve
Yes, I Married Him Anyway
I'm not really sure where to start. We've known each other since I was 16. Back then he went by Chris but has since decided to go by is first name, Warren. He was in my art class in high school. It was my favorite class because of him. He used to come in and lay his tall lanky body over mine and yell "I'm a human blanket!" I would giggle and blush while my insides would bubble up and feel like my heart was about to explode. He was a bad boy and I was just his friend in art class. We never hung out outside of that class yet those small moments we were together in school left a lasting impression on my soul that I carried with me for 17 years.
By Mary Finch8 years ago in Serve
Simple Ways Veterans with PTSD Can Get Help
There are plenty of ways veterans with PTSD can get help, and starting anywhere is a start to be proud of. Coping with such an invasive disorder such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is draining, life-halting, and a constant struggle.
By Adrian Scott8 years ago in Serve
Unsung Heroes
Rain came down in sheets, soaking everything it could at this time of year it was not expected. My colleague and I were working the front desk when a familiar face popped in, drenched but smiling. The night before we checked him in, a vagrant traveling up from from Colorado to get to a town nearly an hour further away. He was dressed in a way that made me think of an post-apocalyptic merchant, even sporting a large brim hat full of different decorations. We already knew he was having a tough time ending his journey; the last leg of it was just an hour away but he sat out for three days hoping for a ride to his destination without success. So he had to stay another night to get out of the cold wet, have a shower, and enjoy the indoors for a moment. We knew he was a botanist and had a job waiting for him whenever he was able to arrive and we respected that.
By Shamus Roan8 years ago in Serve
Life After the Military
I was only eighteen when I enlisted in the United States Army. I decided to go army because Air Force took too long and I wasn’t ready to go to college. I was the first in my family to join, and the black sheep, as well. I was known to skip class and quite often disrupt class if I was present. Even though I skipped a grade in elementary, growing up with peers older than I made it easy for peer pressure to take over.
By KAT Aguilar8 years ago in Serve
US Veterans
We all celebrate the Fourth of July, Veteran's Day, even Memorial Day. We like to say thank you to a gentleman or woman we see on the street displaying veteran status, or to express our appreciation to the veterans that we know personally. But many do not realize the staggering number of veterans who are homeless, or who are struggling with mental illness, substance abuse, or chronic unemployment. These men and women were willing to sacrifice their lives so that we could continue to enjoy the freedom to tweet about hating Donald Trump, or simply vote in an open election. Little do we know what often happens to them if they are fortunate enough to return home.
By Kira Marie8 years ago in Serve
What Is This Journey?
I wish I could think of something quick whited to say here. I wish I could tell you exactly how this journey will go, or what direction I want to take. To be honest though, if you are reading something I've written, you are one of those who enjoy piecing together the random thought fragments into a strange and twisted story that reads as my mind and life.
By Tim Lawson8 years ago in Serve
Technology
In a society obsessed with what's trending and viewership, it's easy to lose sight of what's important. Every day there’s a new app or a new way to communicate with each other and it seems like our world is becoming exceedingly obsessed with social media. But where those distractions have their faults, they can sometimes be turned into a tool for good.
By Ellen Kommel8 years ago in Serve
Best Gifts for Veterans They'll Actually Love. Top Story - October 2017.
When a veteran returns home, they often are shaken from what they've seen on the battlefield. They missed everyone back home, and they often are yearning to have time to spend with the people who supported them when they went off to war.
By Mackenzie Z. Kennedy8 years ago in Serve
