The DeMarco Project Speaks
Women Veterans – Underserved Heroes/SHEROES
By Kim J. Clark
Aka Expanding Love
This article is written as acknowledgement of the commitment and sacrifices made by women
veterans. It is this writer’s intent is to make the community at large aware of the issues female
veterans face.
Veterans Day 2016, this writer attended the Veterans Day Parade which ended at Hart Plaza in
downtown Detroit. It was there this writer’s understanding of veteran’s issues changed. That day,
I met Sgt. Stephanie J. Shannon. After sharing DeMarco’s story, this female soldier embraced
me and told me she understood. She had been where my son was. Sgt. Shannon helped me
understand I was not alone.
For the next year, we walked together; she, a female veteran; me, mother of a veteran, on the
same mission. Save veteran lives.
In this walk, many issues regarding female veterans has come to “light” so to speak.
Just to name a few:
– There are over 47,000 women veterans in the state of Michigan
– There are over 2.2 million women veterans in the United States of America
– 1 in 3 women veterans suffer from military sexual trauma (MST)
– Women veterans are the most underserved population in America
The DeMarco Project Speaks, next article will be an in depth personal interview with Sgt.
Shannon. She is a woman who this writer has had the pleasure of working with in her mission to
empower women veterans. Sgt. Shannon, an Amazon, best selling author, and community leader,
embodies the essence of, “boots on the ground” action and respect.
As civilians, we are not capable of comprehending the challenges these brave women face. Think
about it… They are willing to sacrifice their life so that you and I continue to live free. They
endure abuse (by those they are willing to die for and next to…), come home, are ignored, as
though their contribution meant nothing. More often then not, they end up homeless, not just
them, but their children as well. They suffer in silence. Their voice… unheard… labeled as
unstable… Yes, there are services in place, but the way the criteria to qualify is written, in most
cases, only male veterans are eligible. This article is written with the intent to educate, not to find
fault with veteran services currently available.
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The writer of this column is committed to honoring the sincerity in her son’s heart – Be aproductive member of society. Honor this country. Honor the freedoms we hold dear. And, by allmeans, honor our heroes and SHEROES.Don’t forget to pick up the February edition of the Native Detroit Sun to read the in–depthinterview with Sgt. Shannon.Kim is the mother of a veteran who loved his country and was willing to lay his life down for thefreedoms he believed in. She is the President of The DeMarco Project, Non-profit organization.Her life’s mission it to save veteran lives and improve the quality of life for traumatized militaryservice persons. If you would like to support her in the work, donations are welcome. Visit thewebsite; www.TheDeMarcoProject.org.Read more at www.detroitnativesunonline.com
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