Many Voices – One Community

​I am from a generation where it was not considered proper to seek the spotlight.  I was motivated to overcome my attention phobia by my passion for the military community.  That is why I have decided to add my voice to the conversation to advocate for improving quality of life for the VALoR community – to include everyone in that community – active duty military members, National Guard and reservists, veterans, retirees, and just as important, the extended families of all of the above.  We are in a unique time following and continuing many long years of conflict that has taken a toll on quality of life in the VALoR Community.  The result is military-related stress that doesn’t get much attention – the kind of fatigue, burnout and general wear and tear that comes from long hours of increasing work from military members who didn’t deploy but still had to pick up additional duties from those who were away.  What about the long periods of separation among families, where the spouse and kids had to do double duty while the military member was deployed for months and months at a time.  And what about the reservists who put on the uniform full time but still had worries of their civilian job to add to their burden.  That kind of military operational, occupational and family stress is very real but it often pushed aside and forgotten.  Add to that, the routine stress that comes with military life to include moving across the country or around the world every few years.  Finding a new home and a new place to buy cleaning supplies in an unfamiliar place without the friendly faces of extended family or old friends.  Being on duty 24/7 often without a break.  Trying to make ends meet on a public servant’s pay.  Getting used to a new duty location, new colleagues, and a new leadership chain.  Family members face the prospect of just finding a new job with all the uncertainty that brings.  All these and many other day to day pressures create a weariness that creeps up on you when you’re not looking.  And that weariness over time can affect your health and well-being and diminish your spirit.  The VALoR Institute cannot change those facts.  We only hope to help the community come together to lift up the spirit and bring back the joy, passion, and unquenchable commitment to service that comes with military life.  We seek to focus on the positive – what we can do together to restore, replenish and renew vitality and sustainable quality of life for the military, veteran and family community.  We can elevate our community, but we can only do it with many voices, not just mine.  Please join us as we embark on this mission.  In closing, let me also give voice to a heartfelt thanks to all the veterans, military personnel, and families for your selfless service to our grateful Nation.  Thank you all.