Kelly McHugh-Stewart’s father died in Afghanistan on May 18, 2010. Since then she’s had two separate graduations—both were on the anniversary of his death.
Military Family
A Coast Guard Officer Runs Home After A Marathon Of Funerals
Sarah Holzhalb endured a marathon of funerals shortly after separating from the Coast Guard. All these years later, the month of March still sucks.
“He Tried to Kill Me in His Sleep”—a Military Spouse Learns How Gridlock Gets You Killed
As traffic slowed to a stop and the color drained from his face, Liesel Kershul began to see that Tom had changed. Then he tried to kill her in his sleep.
Echoes Project: The Homecoming
Veronica didn’t want to be at the airport when the Marines returned home from Afghanistan in April 2011.
She Couldn’t Imagine The Fear. She Could Imagine Walking Barefoot, Carrying Her Heels
Annie Erling felt like an interloper when she worked at the Holocaust Museum and again at the 9/11 Museum. Then she came upon a pair of bloodied heels.
Learning How to Talk About War Helped Their Family Heal
You can’t hide anything from your children, John Sims learned. When their family began talking openly about his three decades of service, the healing began.
Marines’ Wives Are All the Same, She Thought. And Then She Met Liesel
Joy Craig writes in an open letter about the chasm between Marines’ wives and female Marines, and about a budding friendship that has softened her distrust.
Sailing the Atlantic Ocean – 2005
Tenley Lozano watched the Barque Eagle’s bow cut through the Atlantic Ocean’s night waters, which swelled with bioluminescence and dolphins.
Service, Sexuality, and Stereotypes Of A Female Veteran
Tenley Lozano, a disabled female Veteran, describes the stereotypes and daily traumas of her service – sexual harassment, chronic migraines and PTS.
A War That Began As Children
How easy is it for military families to discuss experiences at war? Derrick Perkins shares his story as a journalist reporting on military affairs while his own brother deployed overseas and the nonexistent conversations that followed.
Years Later, Loss at War Resonates at Home
Our global community is and continues to be ever more affected by war. Responsible and constructive conversation is more important than ever.
Echoes Project: Javier Ortiz Rivera
After she heard that her husband had died, Veronica remembers screaming for the Marines and chaplain to leave, but they wouldn’t.

