Stories of Service

“One of the best things I’ve heard about war is that there’s nothing normal about war. So, you put people into a situation and they’re expected to normalize it when there’s nothing normal,” said Executive Director of the National Capital District for the USO, Lisa Marie Riggins. Her father served in Vietnam and stayed connected

“Our story is that we made it through that experience together. You use our story as an example. So, when you face life’s challenges, don’t make it difficult by thinking you can handle it yourself. You can’t,” said Everett Alvarez. He was the first American service member to become a POW in Vietnam. He credits

“We focus on the transition of military service members with hopes that we can stop the suicide epidemic,” said Niki Falzone. She is the Director of Operations and Veteran Services for Platoon 22, an organization founded to help military service members during one of the most challenging aspects of their service: the transition back to

“What we’re really all about are the things we carry home from war, the shame or the injury, the moral injury, the abandonment,” said Kevin Stacy who founded The Station to care for Active Duty and Veterans Special Operators and their families. “At the end of the day that pile of rocks, for me, represents

SGT Breanna Jessop knew from a young age that she wanted to live a life in service to others. “The reason I joined the Army is because, probably from the time I was younger, I always wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself,” she said. Breanna was serving with the Army during

“I always felt the need to serve or be a part of something bigger,” said Al Siebert. He learned at a young age the value of helping the people in his community. “I found that being helpful to others really sparked something inside, in my heart. It basically was kinda being bred into me to

“I wasn’t any big hero. I just did my job. I’m just proud of being part of what I did,” said Herb Souder who proudly served his country during WWII and the Korean War. Even when his service took him far away, his family was never far from his mind. “I’m proud of my family

“I think what I was most proud of at the time was being part of the president’s life,” said WWII Navy Veteran Simon Zayon of his time on the USS Savannah supporting President Roosevelt’s overseas trip. “President Roosevelt did so much for the people of the United States. I just strictly loved him.”

“We don’t want to forget Sal and the sacrifice that he gave to his country and make sure we always take care of the mom, Ms. Corma, to make sure that she’s not forgotten and that she still has a large family that she can pull from,” said Jon Walker.

Just after Christmas 2021, the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act was signed into law paving the way for a new memorial to be built within the Reserve in Washington, DC. This memorial will be an inclusive, reverent, and apolitical place of honor for all who have served and sacrificed in the ongoing Global