Hey Women Warriors,

Welcome to December: Rest, Reflect, and Rise: A Warrior’s December

December invites us to pause, breathe, and reflect on the year we’ve lived. For Women Warriors, this season isn’t just holiday lights and gatherings—it’s a reminder that rest is part of resilience and reflection is a tactical pause that prepares us to rise.

Too often, veterans move through December like another mission. But whether you're surrounded by family, savoring cold mornings on the porch, or watching string lights reflect on fresh snow, this month offers space for renewal.

We'll honor key observances—Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, National Guard Birthday, and Wreaths Across America—while closing 2025 with community, resources, and strength for the path ahead. So grab a warm drink and settle into the final issue of the year.


Let’s go!

​ Carma

- Rest, Reflect, and Rise: A Warrior’s December
- A Veteran’s Quietest Holiday — A Short Story
- Five Ways to De-Stress
- The 3-Minute Warrior Reflection
- Quotes for Strength
- December Observances & Resources
- Holiday Phrases Only Veterans Understand
- Resource Spotlight: Financial + Emotional Support
- Book Debrief: Wintering
- VA Claims Corner
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Q: Which branch sent the first official holiday greeting card to service members—and in what year?


👉 Scroll to the end of this issue to find the answer
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December holds celebration and stress, joy and memory. But rest isn’t quitting—it’s part of the mission. Just as every deployment cycle includes a reset, our lives need pause points too.

Reflection can be simple:
- What went well this year?
- What lessons did I learn?
- What deserves to come with me into 2026?

Rising into January doesn’t require a long list of resolutions—just one grounded next step: a VA appointment, a call to a battle buddy, or a small tradition that brings genuine peace.
This season, let’s lean into rest, choose reflection, and rise into the new year—together.
​

The Her Stories of Service and His Stories of Service journals help veterans capture memories, reflections, and legacy. Give a gift that lasts beyond the wrapping.


“Rest is not quitting—it’s preparing.”

“Even warriors need winter.”

“Today we recharge.”

“Reflection sharpens the blade.”

“Stillness is strength, too.”

She remembers that Christmas Eve in the desert—her quietest holiday. No lights, no snow. Just a cot, a glow stick, and the hum of generators.

She expected loneliness. Instead, she found peace. Her squad shared instant cocoa and stories from home and watched the stars until the sky felt warm.

That night taught her what she still believes now... 
Quiet seasons reveal who we are, what we value, and what we can rise from.
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Before the year closes, pause and reflect:
1. What am I proud of this year?  ______________________________________________________________
2. What do I need to release before 2026?  ______________________________________________________
3. What is one thing I want to go after in 2026?  __________________________________________________
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1. 15-Minute Reset — Breathe, stretch, step outside.
2. Say “No” Without Guilt — Protect your energy.
3. Music as Medicine — Build a calming playlist.
4. Write It Down — Short reflections help you stay centered.
​5. Connection Over Perfection — Laughter is better than flawless décor.


👉 The best holiday mission is one that leaves you rested.

December Is: Holiday Mental Health Awareness
Dec 1 - Civil Air Patrol Birthday
Dec 7 — Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Honors the lives lost and bravery shown on Dec. 7, 1941.
Dec 13 — National Guard Birthday
Celebrates the dual-mission Citizen-Soldier tradition.
Dec 20 — Wreaths Across America Day
Volunteers place wreaths so no veteran is forgotten.
Dec 25- Christmas Day
Dec 25-Jan 1 - Hanukkah
Dec 26–Jan 1- Kwanzaa

“Holiday block leave: the original Great Migration.”
“If Santa says he’s wheels up at 0500, believe him.”
“The tree isn’t crooked—it’s tactically positioned.”
“Twelve Days of Christmas? Try twelve days of last-minute taskers.”
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DECEMBER RESOURCES:
This month’s mission-ready resources focus on Financial + Emotional Support.

Financial Support
- VA Debt Management Center
- My HealthEVet moved to VA.gov (refill meds, update records)
- Military OneSource Financial Counseling
- IRS Free File & VITA

Emotional Support
- Veterans Crisis Line: Text 838255
- VA Holiday Mental Health Toolkit
- Cohen Veterans Network coping skills
- WoVeN winter support groups
​- Give An Hour
- Headstrong

The book Wintering explores the quiet seasons of life—times when we’re called to slow down, let go, and rebuild. The author, May, shows that rest is a biological need, not a luxury, and that renewal often begins in stillness.

Veteran Insight:
A “winter season” isn’t weakness—it’s a tactical pause. When your mind or body signals the need to reset, honor it. Pair rest with journaling, VA support, or battle buddy connection. Your quiet season becomes the foundation for rising stronger.
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1. No current diagnosis
2. Missing nexus
3. Downplaying symptoms at C&P exam
4. Filing too many conditions at once
5. Appealing without a strategy


👉 Tip: Document how your condition affects daily life—it can determine your rating.
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Trivia Answer:  The first official holiday greeting card campaign for troops came from the Army and Navy in 1944.

Check out some antique military holiday greeting cards in the video I made for you.

As you close out the year, remember: connection is a gift, rest builds resilience, and reflection prepares us to rise.

Close this year with grace, carry forward your strength, and step into 2026 knowing you’ve already risen more times than you remember.

Here’s to strength, laughter, and rising together. 🌟