Adapt and overcome. 

That’s the motto on the battlefield. 

It’s also how my mom raised my sister and I as a single mother. 

When I reflect on my childhood, I remember so much love and compassion. 

It wasn’t until years later that I learned about the struggles my mom had to overcome. 

But you can only ignore your traumas so long, until they come crashing down on you. 

It’s the reason veterans find it so hard to transition to civilian life: to truly heal, veterans must work through the things they’ve had to push aside for so long. Things they might have forgotten about themselves. 

Many veterans have traumas from their service. They have flashbacks and recurring nightmares. Others develop PTSD or depression.  

But the most dangerous part? 

The loneliness. 

There's a stigma around mental health, which stops veterans from seeking help. 

That’s why at CPLC Battle Cry Veteran Services in South Texas, we use a non-traditional approach—we start with yoga classes, massage therapy, and peer support to make asking for help, including therapy, less intimidating. 

These activities have a big impact on veterans’ lives: connecting with others or simply having something to look forward to can be lifesaving for someone contemplating suicide. 

I remember when I felt like giving up. 

There was a time in grad school when I thought I just couldn’t keep going. 

I had a toddler. I was pregnant. My husband was deployed. And I was working full-time as a case manager. 

I wanted to quit. 

So I asked the universe for a sign. 

Crying, I placed a hand on my belly to hold myself steady. 

Suddenly, I felt something—a kick. 

It was my baby! 

At that moment, I realized I wasn’t alone. I needed to remember my why. 

Everything I was doing was for my family. For other veterans like me. 

I had to keep going. 

Veterans are trained to be resilient. We’re strong, we’re dedicated, and we continue giving back to our community beyond our military service. 

But people forget there’s a person behind that mission-ready veteran.  

A veteran in our program recently thanked me, saying, “No one’s ever taken the time to listen.” 

I’m glad I kept going so I can give back today. 

The same way we’d respond to a cry on the battlefield. 

Sincerely,