Local Group Seeing More Female Veterans In Need

When I made the trip to Washington DC for Memorial Day weekend ride to the Wall with the Nam Knights, I visited Walter Reed as soon as I got off the plane. Time was limited for this trip, as well as finances, so I used my points and flew into Washington to meet my husband there. I prearranged a tour of Walter Reed so that I could visit the men and women wounded doing what we ask of them.

Honestly, I needed this visit. It has become increasingly difficult to do this work. I've been getting burnt out more often and struggling to find reasons to keep going. I thought meeting them would give me some inspiration to carry on since that is what they do everyday no matter what they face. I was not disappointed.

Totally exhausted, I was greeted by the VIP Ambassador, Rosa Benella. She explained that many of the patients would be heading out of the facility for weekend passes but there were several of them willing to be visited by a stranger like me. One by one, my energy went into overdrive just by shaking their hands and spending a few moments talking to them. Young men and a woman my daughter's age, severely wounded but managed to have such an inspirational outlook for their futures, thinking about any hardship on me seemed pretty petty.

The young woman I met lost a leg due to an RPG. As I listened to what happened to her, with her Mom standing there near tears, she told me how blessed she was that it did not hit her higher. She was an MP. This young woman faces the rest of her life without a leg but does not face it without hope. She has no regrets for doing what she felt compelled to do. Serving her country was worth any price she had to pay.

If you ever feel sorry for yourself, you need to know these men and women and then, then you will understand what the human spirit is capable of. For us to allow any of them to end up homeless, end up without jobs, or become so hopeless they think about ending their lives, it not only becomes a disgrace upon this nation, it is a loss for all of us.

Local Group Seeing More Female Veterans In Need
Veterans Village Of San Diego's Stand Down Event Begins July 16; Clothing Drive Starts Friday

POSTED: 5:04 pm PDT June 16, 2010
SAN DIEGO -- As a local group gears up for an annual event which helps homeless veterans, 10News learned the group is seeing a rise in female veterans in need of assistance.

Darcy Pavich, a counselor at Veterans Village of San Diego, is sorting clothes for an upcoming three-day event known as Stand Down -- an event that is in its 23rd year.

Pavich said, "They're [women] driving through combat zones. They're being attacked with IEDs just like the men."
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