"Contribution is how you measure satisfaction and success. Jump into it. That’s when the satisfaction comes in."

-George M. USAF

"Remember to ask for help.  Getting help is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of strength...Your family is your first support group, but definitely not your last." 

 -Kenny R. US Navy

"Early on I have seen other people’s mistakes and I learned from them. I choose not to emulate what they do. Suicide hurts your family and friends but also people you don’t think of – you affect many and you are noticed."

-Leland L. USAF

"I had a type of tunnel vision, one that was geared towards working. There are two rules I live by. #1. Take responsibility for my actions and choices. #2. It’s o.k. If I make a mistake."

-Dave V. USMC

"I realized I had the talent to work towards something bigger than me.  My job is now a calling.  Interact with your world.  War was a matter of survival.  Now, you can grow, flip, evolve."

-Jim C., Army

"We need to participate in our own healing…When I was in my dark place I was in pitch black. No doors or windows. But clearly I now represent that there was a door."

-Michelle W. USAF

"You are worthy, worthy enough to be thriving, happy, and successful, to be loved. As a citizen soldier I have to be resilient, healthy and make wise decisions."

-Jernell L. Army

" A lot of people are running from experience.  Use that experience of yours.  Work from it, through it, and use that experience for good."

-Bob M., Army

 "I chose not to be humorless, conventional, or boring.  I feel my strength comes from others."

-Steven K. USAF

"Discover something. The more we find out about this world, how we are all related to each other the better it will be."

-Robert H. Navy

"The more you talk to people, the more you learn about yourself."

-Nick G., Army

"We need to participate in our own healing.  When I was in my dark place I was in pitch black.  No doors or windows.  But clearly I now represent that there was a door."

-Michelle W., USAF

"When one feels like there are no other options or you have no other direction, have the will to keep trying.  One's will helps drive an outcome."

-Trevor S., USAF

"Reach out to other veterans that understand. Find a support group, a place that you can be vulnerable. There is no shame in the fact that you have vulnerabilities."

-Mike M., USAF

"You’ve got to kill the life source of something to subdue it.  That is the only way you are conquered is when you allow your life source to be subdued.  You have to feed this life source with what makes you happy!"

-Venetta H., Navy

"Once you make peace with the decisions you made you can go the other way, not back. You did the best you could with what you had while you were there."

-Chris W. USMC

"I'm just now getting back into my poetry.  It helps me because it helps other people.   Every time I help someone, I feel so good about myself that I forget my troubles.  That's the best thing for me."

-Marty C., Army

"Get Ready.....you need to be aware that stupid shit is going to happen and you are never going to be ready for it. Trust your instinct to stay alive."

-Michael H., USAF

"Expand your horizons.  Don’t hide in a corner or on stage either.  It takes a lot of guts...If you dwell on things,I think it will drive you crazy.  You can’t change what happened."

-Mike E., Army

"There is no replacement for experience. Learn from it.  I take really serious issues in stride.  It could be worse.  What do you like doing?  Then do it...replace thoughts with actions."

-T.C.O., Army

"We are often our worst enemy and our best cheerleader.  Remember to connect to the outside world, your friends and family, throughout your active duty.  Love is the key to not being lost."

-Ethel J., USAF

 "The word “Hope”, a chance for improvement, is sometimes all you have.  I have great hope for this next generation.  We made it, so can you."

-Tory M., Army

"Let people help you.  Empathy is also a survival skill.  Plan, practice it over and over again.  Be fair, be true to your personality.  Let someone take some of the burden off your shoulders."

-Mary T., Army

"We need each other.  We should remember that we are not alone in coping with ourselves and that there are others going through the same things.  We should remember that there are those that are willing to help us through all of this."

Tau M., USAF

"I had a job to come back to.  The job enabled me.  I soon had the responsibilities of a family and became more serious at it."

-Jim S., Army

"There is joy to be found.  You just have to live in the moment and try to move forward.  You can’t focus on things that can hurt you.  It will suffocate you."

-April S., Air National Guard

"I must have confidence to continue.  When you’re going thru hell...just keep going."

-Tamera B., Navy