11/12/2025
A Child of Two Worlds
As a female veteran, every Veterans Day stirs a deep sense of reflection in me. It is a day when I honor not only the sacrifices of those who came before me, but also the journey I have walked myself. My heart especially aches for my father, a proud Marine who dedicated his life to the United States Marine Corps. His service came at a heavy cost—he suffered for years with the invisible wounds of war. The post-traumatic stress he endured haunted our home in the form of night terrors, sleepless nights, and the silent struggles that families of veterans know all too well. When he passed away from service-connected injuries, his absence left a void that no time can fill.
I have my own battles with night terrors—echoes of experiences my brain insists on replaying while I sleep. Restful nights are rare. My husband, also a veteran who served more than thirty years, understands this life intimately. His greatest regret is that after training his soldiers extensively on tank operations—from A to Z—he was ordered back to the States just two weeks before his unit deployed to war. He has carried the weight of feeling that he abandoned them, though I remind him often that he trained them so well they didn’t need him on the battlefield. I tell him that God had other plans for him—that he was spared so that he could have the strength to walk beside me.
My memories are a tapestry woven with faces, friendships, and loss—of brothers and sisters in arms who served bravely, and of those still carrying the burdens of their service. The connection among veterans is profound. It runs deeper than shared uniforms or ranks; it is rooted in sacrifice, discipline, and an enduring sense of patriotism that never fades.
I pray for all who continue to suffer from the aftermath of their service—that they may find healing, compassion, and understanding. The transition to civilian life is not an easy one. Even after all this time, I still do not feel fully “acclimated.” I live as a child of two worlds: the civilian and the military. Each part of me shaped by duty, resilience, and love for my country—and for those who have borne the weight of its defense.
Peace and Love,
RVF
