On Feb. 11, members of VFW Post 8692 in Albany, New York, hosted their first arts and crafts day for local VA patients suffering from PTSD. The event welcomed more than 15 veterans and their social workers from the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center to paint birdhouses and American stars, followed by lunch prepared by…

“Helping veterans isn’t a job for me – it’s a calling,” said Jessica King, 45. After serving four years of active duty and a few years in the Reserve, Marine Corps veteran King was denied her own benefits for a decade. She was determined not to let that happen to her fellow service members. “A…

“I should be the poster boy for Agent Orange,” Michael Lindop often joked. After serving in Vietnam, Lindop suffered from a laundry list of illnesses. But that did not diminish his pride or love for the Marines. “Like they say, ‘Once a Marine, always a Marine,’” said his widow, Franchesca. “Michael enlisted with the Marines…

Miguel Rodriguez, 37, served in the Navy for eight years. He had several reasons for enlisting. “A strong desire to give back has always dwelled inside me, especially after 9/11,” he said. “On top of that, the costs of attending college made me realize joining the military was the best thing for me.” Today, Rodriguez…

Jane Smith* served for four years in the military. She began attending college while she was still enlisted to get her degree quicker and is now enrolled at California State University, Northridge. Smith’s life changed after she discovered the VFW’s “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship” during a Google search for scholarships for veterans. She…

Former Staff Sergeant Donna L. Jefferies, 64, lived in constant pain. She lived with limited mobility and dexterity challenges for 44 years after serving in the Air Force and National Guard. “I come from a military family,” Jefferies said. “My father served in the United States Army during World War II. My brother served in…