By Michael and Alicia Myrie
Founders, Sheepdog Foundation Inc.
When you think of military veterans that have voluntarily placed themselves in harm’s way to defend our freedoms, the image that comes to mind is more than likely a man proudly dressed in a uniform of the United States armed forces. Many forget the very brave women have served with the same honor and courage as their male counterparts. There were over two million female veterans living in the United States as of 2023, which is about 11.3 percent of the entire veteran population.
Women have served valiantly in our nation’s wars and conflicts past and present, yet they often face more scrutiny by their male peers while on active duty. When they return to a civilian environment they often are not recognized as veterans in the same way. You can say they almost become invisible. People frequently assume the female veteran’s spouse is the only one who served and never think of asking about her service.
Female veterans commonly experience trauma, anxiety and depression, just like men. In addition to this are unique challenges that our female veterans are faced with upon separation from their service such as military sexual trauma (MST) and eating disorders. They are also more than twice as likely to experience homelessness and suffer from PTSD than non-veteran females.
The recognition of our female veterans has improved in recent years through awareness of their unique needs and experiences they face while serving our nation. June 12 is the date commemorated by the New York State Assembly in 2008 as Women Veterans Recognition Day; however it is currently only recognized by 21 states, not including North Carolina. Former Gov. Roy Cooper did sign a proclamation on May 23, 2024, creating Combat Female Veterans Day, but it is not widely recognized.
North Carolina has one of the largest footprints of military bases in the country. The state has Marine Corps Base Camp Lejuene; Marine Corps Air Station New River; Seymour Johnson Air Force Base; the U.S. Army’s Fort Bragg; Air Station Elizabeth City; U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center; Air Station Cherry Point, Coast Guard Sector N.C., Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point, Pope Army Airfield, 145th Airlift Wing Charlotte, 108th Training Command Charlotte, and multiple armories that are home to the N.C. National Guard.
These installations in North Carolina, as well as others around the world, are co-staffed by female service members who are driving forces in their units and communities. We must seek ourselves to find what we can do to better serve and recognize our active and veteran female service members that are making a difference. We owe them all a debt we can never repay.
One place to begin is to join us, the Sheepdog Foundation, in petitioning our state to officially recognize June 12 as Women Veteran Recognition Day. We will begin a drive to acquire signatures for submission to our state representatives.
We also invite you to join us when we hold our first annual Women Veteran Appre-SHE-ation Picnic in June 2025, and our first annual Combat Female Veteran Day celebration in May. Dates and further details will be announced.
The Sheepdog Foundation is a combat veteran owned and operated non-profit organization, composed of male and female veterans with a common mission: to preserve our nation’s fundamental rights of all people to live freely, and seek out what brings them fulfillment and meaning in their life. Honor and service to our country should not be limited to one day of fireworks and cookouts. The “Pursuit of happiness” is not limited to just chasing a goal, but obtaining, preserving and securing it for future generations.
We as a nation, as a community, and as individuals, must always remember the words of Lucian Adams: “The legacy of brave men and women who have fought and died for their country is the freedom we enjoy as Americans.”
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