Hey Women Warriors,

Welcome to June: Identity, Honor & Outdoor Freedom!

This month, we’re diving into what it really means to be a veteran—with a brand-new quiz to help you answer the question: What Kind of Veteran Are You? We’re honoring Women Veterans Day by spotlighting why this day matters more than most people realize, and sharing one family’s powerful legacy of silence and service in The Silence After the Skies.

From lacing up combat boots to tying on hiking shoes, we’ve got ideas for outdoor adventures that soothe the soul. And if PTSD resources have ever felt overwhelming or impossible to navigate, we’ve got your back with a simplified guide—plus tips for using nature as a healing tool (even if bugs and tents aren’t your thing).

VA Claims Corner breaks down the most common disability claims every veteran should know, and our Veteran Voices quotes will lift you up with reminders of strength, healing, and forward motion.

Let’s reclaim our stories, one step—and one open trail—at a time.

Let’s go!

- What Kind Of Veteran Are You Quiz
- Women Veterans Day: Why This Day Matters
- The Silence After the Skies: My Grandfather’s WWII Legacy
- Combat Boots to Hiking Boots: Outdoor Adventures for Women Veterans
- June Special Observances and Resources
- How to Navigate PTSD Resources Without Feeling Overwhelmed
- Quotes to Inspire Healing, Strength, and Next Steps
- How to Use Nature as a Healing Tool (Even If You’re Not “Outdoorsy”)
- VA Claims Corner: The Most Common VA Disability Claims: What Every Veteran Should Know

What kind of veteran are you right now? You might be the Warrior. Or maybe you’ve become the Seeker. Find out at the end of this newsletter—you’ll see exactly what you need next.

(Scroll to the end for the answer.)

June 12 isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a line in the sand.

On this day in 1948, the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act was signed into law, giving women permanent status in the military. But being "allowed" to serve didn't mean being seen. For too long, women were written out of the veteran narrative. This day is our chance to reclaim it.

Whether you served 3 years or 30, you belong in the story of military excellence. Your experiences, sacrifices, and leadership have changed the game for future generations.

Here’s how to honor this day:
1. Post your story on social media with #WomenVeteransDay
2. Register your service at womensmemorial.org
​3. Share this newsletter with a woman veteran who needs the reminder: You were there. You matter. We see you

My grandfather was my hero long before I knew why.

His name was John E. Verbout, a radio-gunner in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Like many veterans of his era, he held his stories close—so close that our family didn’t know the full extent of his wartime experience for over five decades. That’s because, upon discharge in 1945, he signed a document pledging not to speak about his time in Europe for 50 years. And he honored that silence—until exactly 50 years and one day later.

He joined the Army Air Corps straight out of high school in October 1941. By mid-1942, he was flying bombing missions out of Alaska—52 of them in just nine months. In 1943, he married my grandmother and was stationed in Boise, Idaho, before boarding the Queen Mary for England.

Gramps always said he was lucky. Here are three examples:
1. A hospital stay for pneumonia saved his life—the rest of his crew perished on a mission while he was recovering.
2. On another flight, a bullet pierced the plane, killing the man standing right beside him.
3. And then came the mission over Normandy.

On July 7, 1944, his plane was shot down over France. Of the eight crew members, three died instantly, and four were captured. My grandfather was the first to jump—he waited to pull his ripcord until the trees were in view. He landed in a French farm field and took refuge in a haystack, surviving on apples and milk from a cow until he was discovered by the farmer’s daughters—supporters of the Allied cause.

The French Underground, led by Madam Leonard Gille, smuggled him into town beneath a wagonload of hay. There, Odette Gatine and her young family sheltered him for nearly six weeks. The danger was constant—German patrols, piano-playing soldiers, and a terrifying moment when a knock at the door forced him to flee upstairs. Odette secured him a false identity: a deaf mute with a bowl haircut.

After a bomb strike hit the Gatines’ home, they moved to Odette’s parents’ house, crossing a guarded bridge on foot. He remained hidden until the area was liberated by Belgian and British forces. From there, the Underground returned him to England, and by September 1, 1944, he was back on American soil.

He was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained from shrapnel. Though he entered pilot training, he left the service in October 1945—my grandmother had made it clear: it was her or the military. They chose a quiet life on a farm in Illinois.

Our family wouldn’t hear the full story until 1995, when my mother prepared for a six-week trip to France. My grandfather finally broke his silence, pointing out bombed targets on a map and recounting the details that had been locked away for so long. In 2000, he and my grandmother returned to Europe with their children to revisit the sites that shaped his story.

I followed in his footsteps, proudly serving my country. He loved that. He even visited me while I was stationed at Keesler AFB—where he had once served, back when the base was nothing but huts with tar paper roofs. He lit up talking about my service, and he beamed at WW2 reunions with the Armed Forces Escape and Evasion Society. At happy hour, he’d grin and say, “You’ll hear a lot of war stories—and some of them will be true.”

His pride, his grit, and his legacy live on—not just in my memory, but in the freedom he fought to protect.

Below: My Gramps’ forged ID from the French Underground
​

Ready to trade camo for camping? Military-style endurance isn’t required—just a willingness to breathe deeply and let nature do the healing.

Programs like Sierra Club Military Outdoors, Project Odyssey, and Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride offer FREE or low-cost experiences tailored to veterans. Many are women-only and include:
- Kayaking retreats
- Forest therapy hikes
- Wellness coaching
- Child care options
- Covered travel & lodging

You gave your all. Now let the outdoors give something back.

Struggling with stress, trauma, or just trying to feel better day to day? The Veteran’s Guide to DIY Mental Health is your go-to playbook. Written specifically for veterans, this guide uses the VETERAN Mindset method to help you take charge of your mental health—on your terms. Inside, you’ll find powerful mindset shifts, coaching tools, journaling prompts, and practical exercises to help you feel stronger, clearer, and more in control. Ready to start feeling better? Grab your copy.

Let’s be honest: just starting the PTSD support journey can feel like a second job.

Here’s how to simplify it:
1. Pick your path. Want therapy? Group support? Retreats? There’s no wrong answer—just your best next step.
2. Use women-vet-specific services. Start with WoVeN, Give An Hour, or Cohen Veterans Network.
3. Make one move. One call. One click. That’s the mission. Let them walk you through the rest.

You don’t need to do it all—you just need to not do it alone.​

“The mission changed—but the strength it built in me never left.”

“I stopped waiting to feel like I belonged. I decided I already did.”

“Healing didn’t start when I felt ready. It started when I got tired of pretending I was fine.”

“Every step forward counts—even if it’s just from the bed to the porch.”
​
“I may be out of uniform, but I’m still showing up—with grit, grace, and purpose.”

June is:
​- PTSD Awareness Month
- National Great Outdoors Month

June 6 - Anniversary of the World War II Allied invasion in Normandy, France, known as D-Day (1944)
June 11- Family Health and Fitness Day
June 12 - Women Veterans Recognition Day
June 14 - Flag Day & U.S. Army Birthday - Celebrating 250 Years!
June 16 - Father's Day
June 23 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Birthday
June 25 - Anniversary of the start of the Korean War (1950)
June 27 - National PTSD Awareness Day

PTSD, HEALTH/FITNESS, & OUTDOORS RESOURCES

​PTSD:
- Save A Warrior: https://saveawarrior.org/apply/
- All Secure Foundation: https://allsecurefoundation.org/
- STRIVE: https://medicine.osu.edu/departments/psychiatry-and-behavioral-health/strive/treatments-and-services
- Wounded Warrior Project: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
- Home Base: https://homebase.org/
- Bulletproof Warrior: https://bulletproofwarrior.org/
- Make the Connection: https://www.maketheconnection.net/
- Operation Reach Out app: iTunes App Store the Android Market.
- White Flag- app
- Chaplain Consultants - Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc.: https://chaplainconsultants.com/
- Give an Hour: https://giveanhour.org/military/
- Battle Buddy Response Team: https://battlebuddyresponseteam.org/contact/
- Battle Buddy Foundation: https://www.tbbf.org/
​- WoVeN Women Veterans: https://www.wovenwomenvets.org/
​- Cohen Veterans Network: https://www.cohenveteransnetwork.org/

Health/Fitness:
- The Veterans Yoga Project: https://veteransyogaproject.org/
- Fire Team Whiskey: https://bit.ly/ftwYTworkouts
- Warriors At Ease: https://www.warriorsatease.org/military-community

Father's Day:
- Coloring Pages:
https://www.operationwearehere.com/FathersDayBoy.pdf
https://www.operationwearehere.com/FathersDayGirl.pdf

Outdoors/Travel:
- National Parks Pass: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm
- U.S. Vet Camper: http://www.usvetcamper.com/veterans/state-park-passes/
- Military One Source Best Kept Secrets: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/recreation-travel-shopping/recreation/best-kept-secrets/
- FamCamp FaceBook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1667274956832809
- Space A DoD Travelers FaceBook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/325711150854371
​- Sisterhood of the Traveling Veterans: https://www.facebook.com/groups/514920675701572/
​- Sierra Club Military Outdoors: https://www.sierraclub.org/military-outdoors
​- Wounded Warrior Project- Project Odyssey: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/project-odyssey
​- Wounded Warrior Project- Project Ride:  https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/soldier-ride

Not every veteran wants to summit mountains. Good news: you don’t have to.

Studies show that just 10 minutes outside can:
- Reduce cortisol (stress hormone)
- Improve mood
- Clear mental fog

Try this healing checklist:
- Walk barefoot in the grass
- Sit by water (river, lake, or fountain)
- Journal under a tree
- Sip your coffee on the porch
- Try a nature sound meditation on YouTube

Healing doesn’t always need hard work. Sometimes it just needs open sky.
​

The VA recognizes over 900 conditions that can qualify for disability benefits, but a few stand out as the most commonly claimed by veterans. These top conditions impact everyday life—causing chronic pain, limiting mobility, and affecting mental health.

Tinnitus is the most frequently approved VA disability, marked by ringing or phantom sounds in the ears, and usually rated at 10%. Knee pain, especially limitation of flexion, is also common, stemming from injuries or arthritis and rated up to 60%. Sciatica, or pain from the sciatic nerve, ranges from 10% to 80% depending on severity. Hearing loss, caused by loud noises or trauma, is rated based on hearing test results.

Back and neck strains, often due to heavy lifting or poor posture during service, are rated under spinal strain codes and can reach 100% in severe cases. PTSD is another top claim, with ratings based on how much symptoms affect a veteran’s life. Other mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety, are also widely claimed.

Physical limitations, such as restricted motion in the arm or ankle, are measured by range of movement and pain. Migraines, sleep apnea, and scars from surgery or injury are also common. Degenerative arthritis, traumatic brain injuries, and diabetes—especially if linked to Agent Orange—are frequently filed. Respiratory conditions, like asthma or COPD, and cancer, especially service-connected types, are high on the list.

Flat feet and radiculopathy (nerve pain) are often linked to military physical demands. Lastly, secondary conditions—those caused by existing service-connected disabilities—can significantly boost your overall rating.

Understanding these claims can empower veterans to seek the support they’ve earned. Many of these conditions qualify for benefits—even if symptoms seem minor—so it’s worth checking eligibility.
​
* Content adapted from VA Claims Insider Blog

You don’t need a quiz to see where you’re at—you just need to notice your patterns.

You might be a WARRIOR if…
- You still live by checklists and timelines.
- You’re most comfortable when there’s a clear mission.
- You feel antsy when things feel "too slow" or unstructured.
➡️ What you need: Set a personal mission. Use Goal-setting frameworks like the V.E.T.E.R.A.N. Mindset help channel your drive into growth—without burnout.

You might be a MENTOR if…
- You find yourself giving advice, even when no one asked.
- You want to give back to younger service members or new civilians.
- You’ve grown through pain—and want to help someone else do the same.
➡️ What you need: A place to serve again. Consider joining a veteran support group or mentoring through your local VA or Vet Center.

You might be a SEEKER if…
- You’re feeling lost and unsure what’s next.
- You’ve tried different jobs, roles, or places but nothing sticks.
- You ask, “What is my purpose?” more often than you’d like.
➡️ What you need: Exploration with structure. Journaling prompts, vision exercises, or a life coach can help you connect the dots and design a future that fits.

You might be a HEALER if…
- You’re focused on recovery, rest, or letting go of trauma.
- You’re learning to trust your body or emotions again.
- You’ve slowed down, intentionally.
➡️ What you need: Grace and space. Support groups, retreats, or trauma-informed therapy can reinforce the progress you’re already making.
​