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2014 EXPANDING THE AWARENESS OF WOMEN VETERANS AND THEIR NEEDS. A Message From The Wvn Coordinator by Viviana Marcotte

Our mission continues at the WVN to reach the 32k women veterans that live in our state. We have made incredible strides as women veterans and as a network in regards to our needs and growth. Every veteran I meet brings something incredibly powerful to this sisterhood. Women who continue to serve their communities and shine a light for women who have served past and present and the sacrifices 6TH ANNUAL WOMEN VETERANS’ that we have all made. It has been an amazing experience to see city CONFERENCE WAS A BIG SUCCESS. after city erect memorials in the This year’s women veteran be provided the same level of own estimate, as few as 13.5% of name of women in the conference was a great success. protection and resources as their sexual assaults are reported. and an honor to host events Keeping our tradition of hosting male counterparts.” The number of women in the throughout the state specifically this vital event throughout the Congresswoman Tsongas military is growing, expected to for us. In this past year we have state, the conference was held also spoke on one of the key rise to 25% by the year 2025. seen a trailblazing that we have in Dudley, MA on the scenic issues that she is consistently Directly prior to his departure, never seen before. Accomplishments campus of Nichols College. bringing to the forefront, “I’ve former Secretary of Defense from female marines graduating Massachusetts Department been compelled to focus on the Leon Panetta lifted the ban on from infantry school to the Navy of Veterans’ Services women serving in promoting the first female four-star Secretary Coleman Nee combat, opening avenues admiral. There are wonderful welcomed over 300 of advancement for so advances and there are also issues women veterans and many brave female that we must still bring to the introduced the speakers soldiers to rise through surface and address. Homelessness in attendance: Congress- the ranks of our Armed among women veterans and woman Nikki Tsongas Forces. This is a step childcare continue to be the main and Representative Peter toward enacting real struggles that we are faced with. Durant. Tsongas greeted change on several levels, Through it all, we continue to push the women veterans in including the issue of through these issues and make attendance and spoke sexual assault, as well as sure our women who have served about her ongoing advocacy for epidemic of sexual assault in the allowing our military to tap into a in our past conflicts and those . “Women military. This is a deep-rooted resource of highly skilled soldiers. who are yet to come home have are playing increasingly vital and widespread acceptance of What we do not want to happen the best resources possible. If you roles on the front lines of our unprofessional, inappropriate is for the issue of MST to deter know of a woman who has served battlefields. 14% of the Army and criminal behavior. At best, it talented soldiers from serving in our military make sure they are is now female, a figure that is is willful denial or head-turning and inhibit military readiness.” registered into the network. We expected to rise to 25% by 2025, on the part of too many military Congresswoman Tsongas also have some great events coming and women will see their combat leaders. Recent studies have spoke on the development of up in the fall/winter and into roles expanded further in the revealed that as many as 1 in 5 gender-specific body armor to next year. Remember you are years ahead pursuant to the women leaving military service ensure that this life saving tech- not alone, and no call or question Defense Department’s welcome report that they have experienced nology properly fits and protects is too small. All the best. review of women in combat. some form of Military Sexual all of our service members.

Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .ai Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .ai Our female soldiers should Trauma (MST). By the Pentagon’s COVER STORY CONTINUES @womenveterans @MAWomenVets COVER STORY CONTINUES

Our keynote speaker this year was US Kalinowski graduated from Hunter College through her writing, and reminded every Marine Corps Veteran Mariette Kalinowski. in 2011, Cum Laude, with a Bachelors of woman veteran that there is a light at the Sergeant Kalinowski, a U.S. Marine Corps Arts in Language, Literature, and Criticism. end of the tunnel and various forms of veteran of two tours in Iraq and noted She graduated in May 2013 from the Hunter healing. She left us with a message of how author and writer, delivered a powerful College MFA fiction program. Her short important it is for us to share our experiences and moving keynote speech at the opening story, “The Train,” appeared in the fiction which connected with the theme of the ceremony. She shared experiences during anthology “Fire and Forget: Short Stories conference, “Express Yourself.” her tours in Iraq as a marine and as a from the Long War.” Her opinion pieces The day consisted of 7 workshops by woman in combat. During her first tour in have appeared in The New York Times, dynamic speakers to include: Writing with 2005, Lance Corporal Kalinowski served as The Daily Beast, and The Brooklyn Rail author Kirsten Holmstedt of “Band of an individual augment to the 2nd Military among others. She has also appeared in the Sisters” and “When Women Come Marching Police Battalion, Alpha Company, and documentary Service: When Women Come Home”, Art Group, Music Group, Knitting served as a Browning M2 .50cal machine Marching Home, and the Maurice Decaul Group”, State/Federal Benefits, Improv/ gunner on convoy security. Kalinowski was stage play Lioness: The Pride of America. Acting, and Financial Education. There appointed as a noncommissioned officer Kalinowski spoke about her love for the were over 67 exhibitors at the conference in charge of a Class IX supply yard with 1st military, for country, and the unfortunate who donated their time to provide resource Marine Logistics Group. She earned a Navy virus that plagues our nation’s military: MST information to the veterans in attendance. Achievement Medal for her management of (military sexual trauma). Above all Sergeant The WVN will be hosting the a $25 million inventory, increasing efficiency Kalinowski gave a message of endurance 7th Annual Women Veterans’ Conference of order fulfillment, and encouraging and strength through adversity. She shared at UMASS Lowell. Save the date: professional education of her junior Marines. how she found healing through the arts and June 13th 2015.

You’re invited y y y

Join us for this 10th annual event to honor women veterans of the past and present

2014 OUTSTANDING WOMAN VETERAN The MA Governor’s Advisory Committee OF THE YEAR on Women Veterans with the Deborah Sampson Award and The Women Veterans’ Network cordially invite you to its 27th Annual Luncheon Thursday, November 6th, 11am-1pm MA State House, Memorial Hall, 24 Beacon St, Boston A TRIBUTE TO THE VIETNAM ERA WOMEN VETERANS

All Veterans and their families invited to attend. Saturday, October 18th, 11am - 2pm Refreshments will be served. Lombardo’s, 6 Billings Street, Randolph, MA

Including a New England Roasted Turkey Dinner [ served at noon ] and Jewelry Sale & Drawing

NOT FINAL FOR PRODUCTION – FOR LAYOUT VIEWING ONLY

If you know of a Woman Veteran in your community who you would like to nominate for this prestigious RESERVATION DEADLINE IS OCT. 14TH award contact the WVN or visit ma.gov/vets for For tickets: a nomination form today. Deadline is October 17th. June Newman 781.849.3226 | [email protected] or Stephanie Landry 781.925.4486 | [email protected] mission. In July of that deployment I started back out on missions with 2-12 again. I wasn’t just the medic this time; I IN THEIR OWN WORDS helped with radio, and slung ammunition up to my gunner as he went through it. I am telling you, you have no idea how much strength a woman can have when the – SGT Cassandra Benes bullets are flying, adrenaline pumping, RPG’s US ARMY OIF & OEF Veteran Waitress to Combat Medic. whizzing past your truck. y On January “Doc” is not a nickname given to every medic, didn’t exist. Who could really blame them 26th of 2010, we were on route to FOB it is an earned honor. Earned through the though, think about it. It had been drilled Blessing, just before the town of Asadabad, bloodshed of war and combat. It is a name into their heads, into everyone’s heads, mil- my truck got hit. We were hit with multiple that when heard in a low or monotone voice itary and civilian, that women didn’t belong RPG’s to my gunners turret, the side of makes me smile, while screams of its use still side by side with them on “the front lines”. the MRAP between myself and my driver haunt my ears and send chills throughout They were just as shocked and on through the front my body. Only two weeks into my first deploy- as I was that I was there and windshield between my driver ment in Iraq, I earned my place amongst probably scared beyond all and TC. I remember the initial a mainly all-male infantry regiment as their words that if in fact they got explosion but I cannot tell “Doc”. This is my story of how I became hurt, would I be able to save you how many times we were “Doc”, a female Combat Medic. y It was late them? They were scared. hit. An RPG hit my gunner’s summer of 2006; I was 23 years old and What I never would admit to turret and a plume of smoke a waitress in my hometown of Newton, them was that I was scared and a fire ball came down the Massachusetts. Why did I join the Army? also. y I cannot for the life of me remember turret as well as my gunner. We were all I get asked that all the time and I give them and tell you what I did all day yesterday med-evaced to the Craig Joint Theater a common answer that most veterans do but I can, still to this day, give you a play by Hospital on Bagram Airfield where we such as; to further my education, to travel, play of everything that occurred the day that continued to be encircled on trauma get out of town, or college just wasn’t for me changed everything for me in Iraq. We had tables by swarming medics and doctors. (at the time). However, the real reason was just left the FOB when I was faced with my There were a lot of things that could have because I wanted to be a bad-a**, GI Jane, first two casualties. Gunshot wound to the happened a lot worse that day, I will just save the day super soldier. I even cut all my upper right shoulder, through and through. simply say that I am alive, and extremely hair off when I got to basic training.y It was It was as if my hands knew what to do thankful every day for that. y We returned one of the best decisions I have ever made, to before my brain did. I knew what had to be to the US in May of 2010. We had come join the Army and become a Combat Medic. done, I was fast, and I was good. The second back home with fewer than we had gone A lot of people say, “You mean a medic right? casualty was brought to me on the hood of with. It was a very tough deployment. Because women can’t be actual Combat a Humvee. As I jumped up there, I slipped In August of that summer I had started Medics”. I usually just give an irritated looking right off, it was covered in blood, I got up dating one of the soldiers from 2-12, CPL smirk and try and give them the benefit of the again, wedged my foot under a handle. William Hoeksema. Unfortunately I had doubt that their ignorance was not intended Gunshot under right armpit exited through orders to PCS to Walter Reed Army Med- to be malicious. My response is also usually the left armpit. I would later find out that ical Center for December of 2010. It was short “two deployments as a combat medic it went through his heart. He died with his a difficult transition for me. I was leaving with an infantry battalion”. When the time head in my lap before we even hit the gate. so many friends and bonds, a group of came for deployment in July of 2007, I was That was, and is still very hard for me to brothers and family. I got to Walter Reed given a very unique assignment. I was plucked think about. As I walked back through the in Washington DC and quickly fell into from my support battalion role as a hospital main hallway I was met by nearly my whole a bit of depression. I missed the comrade- medic to become a line medic attached to company. “Hey Doc”, “Good Job out there ship, brotherhood, the stupid crap that 2-12, an Infantry regiment. I arrived to find Doc”, “Thanks Doc”, they had accepted me. goes on every day that only you and your less than a dozen females inside this unit In their eyes I had been put through a real fellow soldiers will ever understand. What in various other jobs such as supply, truck life, blood and combat test, and I passed. was harder was, few females had ever been drivers, or fuelers. However I was the only However, to me the price that was paid will in my situation, so I found it even harder female medic that would be going out on never have been worth it. My deployment to find a friend that could relate to me. y I daily missions with one of the companies with 2-12 went on, countless more firefights, continued my Army career on the East and EOD. y My welcoming was less than IED’s, more casualties, and more bloodshed. Coast and was a part of the closure with the enthusiastic. The first couple of weeks, I There were laughs and good times too, how- Command Team at Walter Reed in 2011. spent either on mission or inside my room. ever. These guys became family. y I came I finished out the rest of my time, at Fort Mealtimes were lonely. I would get a plate back to the states at the end of December Belvoir, Virginia. I had continued a long from the chow hall and return to my room to 2007, and we deployed to Afghanistan in distance relationship with my boyfriend, eat. During missions I would sit in my truck June of 2009. I was not attached to my William (Billy), the entire time I was on the or walk with my guys in silence. I didn’t former 2-12 infantry family as I was last de- east coast. In January of 2012, I was preg- know what depressed me more, the bombed ployment. I was assigned to the Aid Station nant with our first baby, I moved back to out streets of Baghdad, or the quiet, awk- on FOB Fenty in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, Colorado to be with him and on June 27th wardness of fellow soldiers pretending you but I yearned to back out with my guys on 2012 I gave birth to our beautiful baby girl, Chloe. Since then we have moved back to Billy has been a most patient and nurturing years ago and I felt he should keep it and my home state of Massachusetts to be close caretaker. I love him beyond words. He has we’d share it. I had an amazing Army career. to my family. Last year, I was diagnosed been my rock and best friend through it A very unique and adventurous one. I was with a rare form of Vasculitis, Wegener’s all. What makes me get up every day, smile lucky in so many aspects; unlucky in some. Granulomatosis. I am currently undergo- and keep pushing through is the love and I learned so much about trust, loyalty, ing chemotherapy as well as, many other adorable grin that my daughter has on her courage, and love. I am now responsible medications for this. There is no cure only face and the love and complete affection for sculpting and molding a beautiful the hope for remission. Some days are good and devotion that Billy has for me. y Today little girl into a respectful, loving, and days and some are not. Some days I can my father has my Purple Heart. A wounded strong woman. I know that life is a gift; barely walk and it’s hard to get around. Vietnam Veteran, his Purple Heart was lost everyday should be lived that way.

My Journey. – Mary Gallagher, US AJR FORCE Veteran

I joined the Air Force in May Security Space Office). My while others don’t. There’s no consistency. 2001 and I had two reasons military occupation in the The main goal within our military should for joining. I wanted to take Air Force was Intel Analyst be to get everyone, every unit on the same advantage of the GI Bill so and the bulk of my duties page about this serious issue. I could finish my under- were to brief Special Ops Coming home has been the biggest graduate and I came from units. I think the most sig- challenge for me. It took me a longtime a military family. My father nificant thing I would like to to adjust and feel like I was really home served in Korea and my two share was how lucky I was to again. I felt I was falling into a dark and brothers served as well (one have several female mentors sad place after returning from deployment in the Army and the other in when I first joined the Air but the key is to recognize this and seek the Navy). My Uncle was a Force. They not only took help. I would tell other female vets that member of the famed “Flying the time to help set goals, you don’t have to suffer in silence. Once Tigers” in WWII. From a young age they became my friends and two of which I registered into the VA here in Boston I was taught the importance of service I still a big part of my life. I am truly lucky. I went to the Women’s Clinic which both to the Nation and our community. Being a woman in the military is a lot helped so much. They have a great staff I deployed several times, once to easier now than it used to be, but there and really take the time to show the way Afghanistan and twice to Iraq. I was are always obstacles, especially regarding home. Also, inform other women veterans wounded in Iraq in 2009. The coolest the issue of Military Sexual Trauma. to register into the Women Veterans deployment I had was to the Pentagon I have experienced and witnessed it. Network, there are so many people out where I worked at the NSSO (National Unfortunately some leaders tolerate it there waiting to help.

The date will be announced soon in NEW EVENTS FOR VETS. a flyer. Habitat for Humanity offers – Gail McAuliffe, US ARMY Veteran single an opportunity to own o their own safe homes where they don’t Q A What is music Therapy? Therapy that uses have to worry about where they are living. music provided by a board-certified music This opportunity is very special because therapist to address specific non-musical although the recipient of the home may Megan from Revere, MA asked: goals, such as physical, psychological, not be a women veteran, she will be a Does the state offer a peer to cognitive, and social functioning. Music struggling single mom. We will need about peer program for veterans who therapists are trained musicians, with a twenty volunteers. Please keep this in are dealing with court issues? degree in the practice of music therapy. mind and look for the information which We are currently running a pilot program will be available soon. Yes. The MA Department of Veterans’ here at the Chelsea Soldiers Home in Services Jail Diversion Program helps collaboration with Resounding Joy and veterans who have legal issues. They are music therapist Rebecca Vaudreuil. Some Music Therapy there to help provide support, help link at Chelsea Soldier’s Home of you may remember Rebecca from the NEWS veterans with the necessary services that WVN Annual Luncheon Women Veterans’ Conference in June. may help them to become rehabilitated. New to our community involvement, Sat Oct 18th They work hand and hand with local police, we are working with Habitat for Humanity & WVN Appreciation Day Sat Nov 6th on Women’s Build project. This will be an courts and jails. They also have women exciting opportunity for women to build Women’s Build Project veteran peer-to-peer specialists available. together for other women in the community. 2015 WVN Conference For more information contact: Carolyn

Updates June 13th | UMass Lowell Jette Peer Specialist SHARP 857-259-2127. DEBORAH SAMPSON – THE NEXT GENERATION. WHAT’S NEW AT THE VA? Growing up we all learned about the great they soon discovered her true identity. – Kim Adams, RN, US ARMY Veteran pioneers like Paul Revere and many others Cassssandra Silva, a 4th grader from but very rarely did we learn about the Edgartown Elementary School was invited There is a new Women’s Health Medical women who also fought in defense of our to present Deborah Sampson as a class Director at VA Central Western MA freedom during the American Revolution. project. “I found it inspirational that she Healthcare System. VA Central Western Deborah Sampson fought in the American had the courage to dress like a man to serve MA Healthcare System, Leeds, MA, is Revolution disguised as a soldier and our country. In my speech, I talked about pleased to announce the addition of enlisted as Robert Shurtlieff. During one all the courageous things Deborah did Nicole Kirchen, MD, MPH to our staff as of the many battles she fought in, Deborah during the war especially when they found Women’s Health Medical Director and received a gash from a sword on her out she was really a woman. I can’t imagine Primary Care Provider. forehead and a shot wound in her left what it must’ve been like, fighting in the Dr. Kirchen’s area of interest includes thigh just below the groin. Afraid her true war and having to hide and pretend you’re the provision of quality healthcare to gender would be discovered a man. If I could send a message women. As Women’s Health Medical by a doctor, she extracted the to the women that have served Director, she is highly committed to en- pistol ball herself with a pen in the past like Deborah and suring that quality healthcare is provided knife. Unfortunately Deborah women that are serving in our to the women veterans at the VA’s main fell victim to an illness where military now it would be: Thank campus in Leeds, and the community she was carried to the hospital You for your sacrifice, courage, based outpatient clinics in Fitchburg, and lost consciousness due to and service our country. You’re all Greenfield, Pittsfield, Springfield and a severe fever. At the hospital, heroes.” Worcester. Women Veterans interested in know- ing if they are eligible for VA healthcare can call the VA Health Benefits center toll free at 1.877.222.VETS (8387) or New BEDFORD HONORS WOMEN VETERANS online: va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/ index.asp – Katherine Splinter, US ARMY Vietnam Veteran Women already enrolled in the VA healthcare system may call the VA Veterans Day. A couple of the challenges Central Western MA HCS Telephone were getting permission to use the Care Line at 1.800.893.1522 to schedule artwork we chose and permission from an appointment with Dr. Kirchen. the National Park Service for the site at For questions about the Women Fort Rodman. We couldn’t meet the Veterans Program, please contact Kim November 2013 deadline and rescheduled Adams, RN, Women Veterans Program the dedication to Sat. May 2014, the day Manager at 413.584.4040 ext. 2240. before ’s Day. Committee members were Col. Grace In 2008, New Bedford City Councilor Regan, USAF Nurse, Vietnam era, when over 300 showed up. The unveiling Linda Morad invited a number of Priscilla Fonseca, USAF, Korean, Kathy produced gasps and tears from the women veterans together to ask of interest Splinter,USA Nurse, Vietnam, Kathy audience. It was truly a memorable day. in getting a monument dedicated to honor Luiz whose mother was a WWII Army This journey has helped me appreciate the service of women veterans. The Nurse in Europe after D Day, and Linda just how far we have come as women who answer was overwhelmingly positive. Morad a City Councilor. served. As an Army Nurse, I saw women New Bedford recognizes her veterans From the beginning of our plans, the working as nurses or corpsmen. I knew with monuments and needed services, support has been strong and enthusiastic. only one female doctor. I was pretty ignorant such as the Veterans Transitional House We heard from women veterans from of the history of women’s service. I am and the Sean Brooke House, a permanent as far away as Texas. “Long overdue” blown away by the courage and patriotism housing facility for veterans in need. and “it’s about time” were repeated demonstrated routinely by these women. But recognition of women veterans was over and over. Some of the letters were I knew I would be working as a nurse. lacking. This committee of female very moving. In the end, we raised But so many women joined without that veterans planned a memorial to honor all the money. The support from our security. And in spite of all the harassment, all military women. But, the plans were brothers in arms was heartfelt and much difficulties and roadblocks of serving in the put on hold because of the financial appreciated. Except for a grant from military, women continue to sign on the crisis that rocked our country. the City of New Bedford, all the money dotted line. They are they fastest growing In late 2012, the committee was called came from private citizens or private population in the military. I am so proud together and their plan was back on. organizations. to have served. I am so proud to meet A design was chosen and the challenge On dedication day we were gifted other women who served. And cherish was to raise $34,500 by November 2013 with perfect weather. We hoped for a the time I spent with them, hearing their for a dedication of the memorial on ‘good’ turnout and were overwhelmed stories. We truly are a Band of Sisters.

A publication by: The Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Department of Veterans’ Services, Governor Deval Patrick, John Polanowicz, Secretary, and Coleman Nee, Secretary, DVS