A Veteran’s Story

Michael Peterson served in the Army for 20+ years and fought in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He wrote a song with help from Operation Song.

Joe Vandever was drafted into the Marine Corps to serve as a Navajo Code Talker during World War II.

Army Veteran Mary J. Herrera was nearly killed during an ambush in Iraq. Despite the loss of much of her right arm, Herrera is proud of her service and grateful to those who helped her.

A true jack of all trades, Herman Carl Abelein Jr. served a remarkable and multifaceted 28-year career in the U.S. Navy that brought him all over the world, including to Japan, Vietnam and Egypt.

This #OperationSong spotlight features “Why Am I Here” by Veteran Daniel Maderic, who served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

Navy SEAL Veteran David Goggins is the only member of the U.S Armed Forces to complete SEAL training, the U.S. Army Ranger School and Air Force Tactical Air Controller training. Goggins has also competed in over 60 marathons, ultra-marathons, triathlons, and ultra-triathlons.

From a scrappy New York youth to a Vietnam Vet to the Keeper of the Flame, Charlie DeLeo has lived it all.

Phillis Abry enlisted in the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) in 1943 and met her lover Mildred, with whom she worked on radio repair and WAAC recruiting.

Because Kazuo Yamaguchi was a Japanese American, the U.S. Army initially turned him away from a recruiting station during World War II. Yamaguchi was later drafted into the service, where he developed a sense of duty, honor, and an appreciation for his heritage.

Paula M. Neira believes that her greatest service for the country and the Navy has come after she put away her uniform. Before she became a nurse, lawyer and advocate, she was an officer in the Navy. Neira had to sacrifice her naval career when she accepted that her gender identity didn’t align with the sex assigned at birth.

Marine Corps Veteran Jonathan Hagerman founded the Dirt Therapy Project with his wife, Alexandra. Their nonprofit helps Veterans by connecting through mountain biking.

This #OperationSong spotlights “No Cinderella” by Army Veteran Lory Gatter and Jenn Franklin. Gatter wrote about overcoming traumatic experiences.