After coming home from multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, there is something that many can’t fully understand. For me, it wasn’t the transition to “normal” family life that was the hardest part. It wasn’t sitting at the dinner table or watching my kids play. Although it was hard realizing that my kids were growing up without me and seeing them at a later age than they were when I left. The struggle came from what I left behind.

My good friend Jackie M. Johnson wrote this segment and thought it would be helpful to not just her audience but for us as well. We as Veterans, especially those who have gone through Combat deployments and experienced loss, understand how hard it is to get back to living life as if things were normal again.

As a Veteran, or an Active Duty service member, we understand the value of Brother and Sister hood. The Military creates a family bond that can never be broken. But when you leave the service, sometimes that connection you once had and miss is no longer on a daily occurrence.

As you wind your way through life's many twists and turns, always remember this: you're never truly alone. Whether you're grappling with the uncertainties of deployment, wrestling with the invisible scars of war, or simply feeling the weight of it all, there's support to be found in a community that knows your struggles, understands your pain, and stands ready to help.