Women’s History Month: Celebrating Women in the Military Community (Part One)
March 1, 2022
March is Women’s History Month and this year we invited our female followers and supporters to share about their experience in the military-connected community.
Each week we will feature stories from women who have walked the talk as either military veterans, active duty service members, military spouses, or military supporters. They will share how their experiences in the military-connected community have helped to shape their lives, careers, and family. Many will also share how their experience with Soldiers’ Angels (on either the giving or receiving end) has impacted the people around them.
Be sure to check out the rest of the blogs in the series!
CPT Miller
Active Duty, Army Chaplain
How did your experience in the military-connected community shape your career?
It has definitely taken me beyond I could imagine. I have met people from all over the world and all walks of life. I have been places I never imagine. I have learned to network and filled my toolbox with skills and talents that have shaped to be better.
Did you have a mentor in the military-connected community that left an impact on you?
I have had mentors, supervisor and peers that have left a tremendos impact, both positive and negative. That have allowed me to gain perpective and experience.
How do you give back to the military-connected community and/or how do you specifically provide support through Soldiers’ Angels?
I am a conduit for Soldiers’ Angels, what their support does for our soldiers is funneled through me, and I have personally seen changes in the morale of unit and in the life of the soldier.
Why is it important to you to continue supporting the military-connected community?
As long that there is an Army, we are always going to need organizations like Soldiers’ Angels to send a piece of home wherever we are.
Annette Whittenberger
Army Veteran/Military Spouse Entrepreneur, Founder of A Wild Ride Called Life LLC
How did your experience in the military-connected community shape your career?
My experience in the military-connected community helped shape my career due to the camaraderie and the family atmosphere. My peers and Soldiers taught me that family isn’t just blood-related. It was a community that understood what life was like behind the scenes out of uniform and those days where we felt alone. It helped me know that I always had support through all the stages of my career.
Did you have a mentor in the military-connected community that left an impact on you?
I had several mentors that left an impact on me. They shed light on the hard truths of what life was like in the military which made me even stronger and kept me fighting for what I wanted out of life.
How do you give back to the military-connected community and/or how do you specifically provide support through Soldiers’ Angels?
I give back to the community by volunteering as a mentor for several organizations. Because of what I have learned during my career in the military and as a mother and military spouse, I feel that I have so much to offer to those who don’t quite understand this lifestyle either as a career soldier or military spouse.
I am also a speaker and mental health advocate. I feel it is necessary to have the difficult conversation so that we can continue helping those suffering in silence.
Why is it important to you to continue supporting the military-connected community?
It important to continue supporting the military-connected community so that we can help bridge the gap between our military and the civilian community so that we can work together.
It is important to show the sacrifices we make so that there is a better understanding of how important our families are
Diana Nickell
Military Surviving Spouse
How did your experience in the military-connected community shape your career?
I am now as of 9/12/21 a surviving spouse of an amazing combat Vietnam veteran who stepped into heaven on that day. Forty three years we spent together, and our trials and tribulations filled our lives to overflowing, and my life with experiences that are unforgettable and have left me deeply committed to the Veteran Community. Currently the YouTube series Surviving Vietnam has reached over 1.8 million in less than two years. Our website https://www.survivevietnam.com helps many.
Did you have a mentor in the military-connected community that left an impact on you?
Too many to count but interestingly, my father was a WW2 veteran, I had an uncle who gave his life in that war as a bombardier, and whether it was my work with Monty Roberts the Horse Whisperer and his Horse Sense and Healing events, or another non military personality, that was used to encourage me to give my life, world renowned cross carrier Arthur Blessitt, I have lived a life of trying to make a dent in not only veteran suicide, but also to remove the stigma of post traumatic stress injury
How do you give back to the military-connected community and/or how do you specifically provide support through Soldiers’ Angels?
Between several books, years of working at events for veterans, and advocating for my husband a 100% unemployable rated veteran, I served in every way that I could. Our series, and Instagram, were and are a source of help and hope to many, and the letters that have said so, keep coming. Currently I am advocating and battling over the new caregiver class action case that was recently won.
Why is it important to you to continue supporting the military-connected community?
Losing my best friend and partner in Sept., after 43 years, has only convinced me more that there need to be more true stories told, more advocates and many many changes to the system.
