FOR LOVE OF GOD & COUNTRY
Written by: Dolores Linden
On January 17, 1991, I had just finished a 12-hour graveyard shift at the VA Hospital in Denver, where I worked at the time. I arrived home, settled into my typical wind-down routine before going to bed and getting up to do it all over again that evening. I woke up around three in the afternoon, not knowing that our world, and specifically my world had changed forever.
I got a bite to eat and got ready for my next 12-hour shift. My husband who worked for a Government contractor at Lowry, AFB arrived home around 4:20 p.m. and had some bad news. We were at WAR!
Photo by: Donna Spurgin
My mind raced. Back then, we didn’t have News 24/7 or Social Media. I turned on the old little black and white TV in our Kitchen, hoping for a News alert, and there it was! My thoughts immediately went to my kids. I felt my heart in my throat and a gut feeling of near panic!
My son, an active duty Marine was stationed stateside in North Carolina, and my daughter, my baby girl, was in Navy Bootcamp in Orlando, Florida. Both my children were Active duty military in a time of war. My husband, a Navy Veteran, was matter-of-fact about the whole situation. But in my heart, the ‘unknowns’ became my waking reality. How long would this war last? Will my son be deployed? And if so, for how long? Where would my daughter be sent?
Realizing that as the daughter, wife, and now mother of the military, it was my patriotic duty to serve my country I loved so dearly by being a support to my only children, both of whom were at risk of being in harm’s way. I had to make a conscious decision to not wallow in the fears of “what if.” I needed to choose to remain steady, even on the days that my stomach was tied in knots.
Thankfully, I had three factors in my life that gave me strength. First and foremost, was and is my faith in God and the Scriptures that brought me comfort. The second, my wonderful husband and dad, both wise men and Veterans who helped give me perspective, and finally, working and caring for the Vets at the VA Hospital. Those 8-12 hour shifts kept me busy and my mind focused, while in between on breaks I was in front of the TV watching news updates.
I lived in a big city, but I didn’t know other families with military members. Back then, there just wasn’t a support system for military families like there is today. I often wished that there had been a connection because I felt like I was a part of an important larger family, a family supporting our military, serving our country when called.
Desert Storm lasted only a very short time, not years like so many wars in years past. As a mother, I was grateful and blessed that both my kids remained safe, but my mother’s heart aches for the families whose soldiers paid the ultimate price.
I REMEMBER WHEN…
By Paul Sullivan, Ret. Capt. USMC
As a 2nd Lt. stationed with Hotel Company, 2nd Bn. 4th Marines, 1st Marine Brigade, Kaneohe MCAS, Oahu HA, we became a part of the 3rd Marine Division out of Okinawa as Operation Blue Star, a multi-national exercise that carried a number of goals to be carried out successfully, ( naturally).
We docked in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, and trucked ourselves and gear down to O Luan Pi at the southern tip of Formosa. The first thing we received was a scathing talk from one of our NCO cooks about camp followers. He who gets caught with one or more of them would be severely punished, etc, etc, etc. Guess what? Who got caught the very first night? You’re right---our NCO cook! After this first incident, we never did see him for the duration of the exercise. Anybody have any ideas about what could have happened to him?
Assigned to my platoon was a Chinese Army Sgt and attached to him was a Chinese Police Officer. Why? I still do not know. He was a constant bother to my interpreter, Sgt. Wong; however, while occupying a small village that was considered essential for carrying out special orders, I spoke to a young Chinese fellow who was a student at college in Taipei. He spoke broken English.
Paul Sullivan, Ret. Captain, USMC resides in Massachusetts with his wife Beverly.
He asked me what we were doing in his village. I pointed out to the ocean and told him our enemy (members of 3rd Division), would be coming through this area in a few days. Well, without a second’s pause, he began yelling. When he did this, many villagers came running out of their homes, carrying some belongings, and started hustling out into the hills. I immediately got on the phone and asked for Sgt Wong to get there quickly. Fortunately, he did and all turned out to be A-OK. I can only imagine what could have happened if Sgt. Wong had been late. Who would get these people back into their homes without international embarrassment? My Sgt. Wong saved the day.
I am sure a number of viewers may recall a similar situation and might wish to share their stories.
A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
Welcome to AT EASE! Veterans Magazine!
We are so incredibly excited to publish our inaugural edition of AT EASE! Veterans Magazine. It’s been an uphill battle, but we’ve stayed the course to our commitment to provide a worthy publication that gives a voice to Vets across the country.
CHRISTINE WALKER
AT EASE! Veterans Magazine is a national quarterly magazine focusing on what matters to Veterans. It began with the vision to create a print & digital magazine that would give a voice to Veterans, old and young alike, to share the stories that have forged us in the fire and have made us who we are today.
We will also be utilizing QR Code technology to help create an interactive experience.
AT EASE! Veterans Magazine is created by a Vet for Vets. I served as a Hospital Corpsman during Desert Storm at Lejeune and named our publishing company Devil Doc Publishing, as a wink and a nod to my fellow Corpsman who served FMF/8404.
I was asked what I was most passionate about in creating a magazine for Veterans...
Telling their stories!
It’s ALL about the Vets!
STRUGGLES OF MILITARY TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN LIFE
Written by: Paul Bastaich
Director of Veteran Services | Denton County Veteran Service Office
“Transition should not be difficult. Sometimes a Veteran and their family just need some guidance to get over the hurdles of life as a civilian.”
In my personal opinion, the largest hurdle to Veteran Transition is Employment. Finding satisfying career employment is vital to Quality of Life. With the assistance of the Texas Veterans Commission, Veterans Employment Services, Veterans will find a huge step in the right direction utilizing this free service. Veterans Employer Liaison is located in the Texas Workforce Office at 1300 Teasley Lane, Denton Texas, (940) 323-4335. There are several other organizations and employment services in the Metroplex that offer opportunities to our Veterans but my trust and confidence is with the Texas Veterans Commission and their services. If employment is not an issue for a transitioning Veteran and Family, but other obstacles emerge, I would focus on assistance from the Denton County Veteran Service Office and the Veterans Community Navigator Program.
The Veteran Community Navigator (VCN) program is a holistic, short-term case management model to assist Veterans in multiple life domains to achieve stability and sustainability.
The Veteran Community Navigators: Receive referrals from various community partners (Denton County Veterans Coalition, Texas Workforce Commission, Catholic Charities, Giving Hope, Law Enforcement, Denton County Veterans Service Office, etc.). Assess the extent of the Veterans needs as they relate to mental health (may include substance abuse, TBI, PTS, or physical health component), and emergency financial needs such as food, housing, transportation, etc. Determine a plan of action, level of case management, and follow-up required. Make referrals to community service providers (help set appointments, arrange transportation, etc.). Follow up as necessary to assure the Veteran and his/her family is getting the help needed. Coordinate regular case staffing meetings to determine clients’ stabilization.
The Veteran Service Office, located in the Mary and Jim Horn Government Building (940)-349-2950 can assist with a referral to the VCN Program. Additionally, the Denton County Veterans Service Office offers vital assistance to Denton County Veterans and their dependents in filing VA benefit claims. The veterans’ benefit counselors of the Denton County Veterans Service Office assist veterans of the Armed Forces and their dependents file claims and obtain their benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs after service to our country.
There are many service providers willing to assist. There are resources available but identifying the need and getting the right contact for resolution is key. Texas Veterans Commission Employment Services, Denton County Veterans Services and the Veterans Community Navigator Program are ready to assist.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A FEMALE VETERAN
Written by: Cristie Campo
Cristie Campo
When people ask me; what does it mean to be a female veteran? I honestly don’t know how to answer that question because it implies that I am special or that there is something amiss with being a female veteran. I am the same as any other man who has served and yet when I think about it, I realize that I am different. “I am special! “ I served during a time when fewer women were serving in the military. A lot has changed after 9/11.
I am a Persian Gulf War Veteran. The first “war” after the Vietnam war. That is significant enough to make our generation “special” although we are special in the fact that everyone forgets about us. 9/11 takes precedence in benefits, resources, special programs, etc... We are the forgotten war just like the Korean War veterans. Funny isn’t it? We get lost in the system, nothing is available to us and yet we are just as deserving as anyone else.
Growing up in El Paso, my desire was to see the world, do something in return for all the opportunities given to us as the first generation of legal Mexican immigrants in this country. I also wanted a better life and the opportunity to do something bigger and better for me and my future generations to come. I knew that college after High School was probably not an option. My mother was a single mother and could not afford to pay for college. I also knew that I could not afford college on my own even with student loans, minimum wage was not enough to help me pay for the extra expenses not covered by student loans. I was being pressured to graduate from school and find a full-time job to help support our family. I didn’t mind working and helping, I just wanted a different life than what El Paso had to offer at that time.
I had taken JROTC as an alternative to PE in High School and I loved the structure and what the military had to offer. It became a viable opportunity in my junior year when I actually had to start making decisions about my future. After some serious consideration, I settled on enlisting in the Navy. The uniform sold me on it. I spoke to a recruiter, who had me take the ASVAB, and soon thereafter I was enlisted in the Navy. My journey began with basic training in Jacksonville FL, Hospital Corps school (medic school) in Great Lakes IL, and my first duty station at Pax River MD. About a year or so later there were some issues at home that prompted me to ask for a transfer to the west coast. The recruiter asked me if I was willing to go to school at Camp Pendleton Ca. I said “yes” I actually had no idea what I said yes to but I needed to be as close as I possibly could to my family. I would soon find out that I was going to be an FMF Corpsman whatever that meant…
Cristie with friends Ron & Willie @ FMF School
The Marines were accepting female FMF Corpsmen into their program, something that was new and they needed to fill the female billets. The recruiter had looked at my records and thought I was a good candidate for the school. In a class of about 30 people, I was one of 3 women who went thru the program. We pulled our weight, we physically passed every single test the men took. I had no idea they were trying the program out. I thought women had come before me and never gave it a second thought. I did what I had to do. I was physically and mentally ready to do whatever it took to pass. We had a few guys who did not make it thru the program. I was not going to wash out of school and I was determined to finish. After graduation, I was attached to MAG 39 ( Marine Air Wing 39). I had a blast. My motto was that if the Marines let me do something, then I was going to do it because I was not going to pass that way again and it was an opportunity to do things I would never do on the Navy side. I most definitely took advantage of everything the Marines let me do.
Unfortunately, the war was imminent, we began processing people for deployment. A female FMF Corpsman was requested for MWSS 373 (Marine Wing Support Squadron 373) in Bahrain and I was deployed to the Persian Gulf for 6 long months… “homey don’t camp anymore” unless there is a hotel with a bed and air conditioning, just sayin’…I played in the sand, ate sand, had sand in my clothes, hair, boots, etc…
We didn’t complain because it’s part of the living environment we found ourselves in. That has forever cured me of ever wanting to camp again, period. I don’t recommend going to war. I have some really cool fun memories and some really bad ones I would rather forget. In spite of it all, I have no regrets...
Cristie, standing next to a missile in Bahrain.
After my honorable discharge, I used the GI bill and focused on attaining my bachelor degree in Graphic Design and my Master’s degree in Fine Art. The Marines taught me how to be a “man” (resilient would be the word, but “man” sounds so much better…) I learned to commit and accomplish the goal. This skill has continued to be a part of my life all these years. I am a proud business owner and a single mother of 3 girls.
I continue to be of service in the veteran community as a volunteer in several veteran organizations but I am most proud to be the Founder/ CEO of the DFW Veterans Chamber in the Dallas/ Ft Worth area.
In short, what does it mean to me, to be a female veteran? It means I did things no one else had done before; I was part of opening doors for those who would come after me. That is what it means…It means I am a rebel, a trailblazer, a United States Devil Doc who forged ahead with sweat, tears, and pain. I did what I did out of love of country and duty to my fellow brothers and sisters. That is what it means to be a female veteran to me. I am part of history…I am a Proud Female Veteran, forever a Devil Doc. Semper Fi!