By Patty Sands, WTC Stratcom

Patty Sands, WTC Stratcom, and another Gold Star Wife at Capitol Hill.

Capitol Hill is always an exciting place with all the pomp and ceremony but also for the influence and power that is centralized there. From a young age, my Dad encouraged getting involved to affect change. He said anything can change with steady pressure and persistence while working within the system. He was right. I have personally worked on many issues on a national and local level. I have seen the impossible become possible.

However, when it comes to the military it is the people that are VERY dear to my heart. I am the daughter of an Army Captain, I am an Air Force Widow and I am also the mother of a brand new Second Lieutenant. Plus, I am honored and proud to be the newest staff member of Warrior Transition Command, Stratcom. As you can see, I have a vested interest professionally and personally in the success of our military community.

I recently had the opportunity to attend a Capitol Hill reception by the Gold Star Wives organization of which I am a member. Attending with me was our own Stratcom Executive Officer, LTC Griffin. To give a bit of background on the organization: the Gold Star Wives (GSW) are a Congressionally Chartered non-profit service organization. The Charter was granted because GSW is unique in that it is a service organization capable of providing services to the active duty and service connected military Widow. Basically they are War Widows that support each other and advocate on issues to better the lives of others. Our Widows come from all walks of life and are a wide range of ages. A common denominator with all the ladies is compassion and an unfailing sense of direction and mission.

GSW gave appreciation awards to Rep. Henry Brown as well as Admiral Mullen and his wife for their outstanding work for military survivors. Admiral Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, gave a noteworthy and heartfelt address to our group. He said one of his priorities is to ensure all military Families—whether they include Veterans, wounded service members, active or reserve members or survivors—are embraced by their communities to meet their immediate and long-term needs.

The chairman stressed the need for a “seamless joining” of the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs and communities across the nation to “welcome these heroes back to communities.”

All must “join hands together to make sure we maximize the opportunities in meeting the needs of our young Veterans as they return home after these very difficult wars,” he said. “And not lose one Family who has lost someone.”

I smiled to myself listening to his words. I then leaned over to LTC Griffin and said that Admiral Mullen’s words sounded like one of our staff meetings! It is clear, from the highest offices in our land to the Advocates in the field….we are all on the same mission. Each of us in our own way, we will make powerful changes for those that have given so much…the Families of those that have died for our country as well as those that are wounded. How? Steady pressure and persistence! Truly, it will take all of us on a national and community level to make the way smooth.