09/10/2026
It is rare that I share too much about my real life with the public. Opening yourself up in that way creates the potential for negative criticism concerning the most intimate parts of your person, your identity, and your character. However, I am daily graced by the most intimate details of the lives of my fellow veterans, and I feel it is only fair to share at least a portion of my own story.
After my time in service ended, I struggled to find my “new identity.” I moved home and everyone’s lives had moved on. Even in the 4 short years that I served, I somehow felt like a stranger in a place I had known all my life. My jokes didn’t make sense to anyone. My language was a bit too harsh. I was a bit too hard. The Marine Corps had given me so much, but I felt that I had not given nearly enough. So, I distanced myself from my service and my fall from grace was long and hard.
After accepting the ceremonial check for this grant season, words began to spill out of me. Though my sentences were less than coherent and my speech was clearly not well rehearsed, I wanted to share the profound impact that veteran organizations make in the everyday lives of veterans- the impact it could have made in mine if I had been more educated. Some of that is what you will read about in the article below.
Because I have been so fortunate to be entrusted with the position I now hold, I get to see firsthand the way that, even in a small county like ours, a Veteran Services Officer/ Office can make a profound impact in the lives of veterans and their families. Sometimes, the job is as simple as listening. It’s as simple as caring. Sometimes it is far more complex and imperfect, and I certainly don’t always get it right, but I get to walk alongside these families so that they aren’t left feeling as though they are alone. My passion in serving our community is found in my own fall. It is a humbling experience. But I now know what tools are available and I am committed to ensuring others are aware of those tools as well.
If you feel so inclined, the article is available to read below. As always, I will do my best to push out resources through this page as I am made aware of them. If you would like to contact this office, please do so by email at [email protected] or 936-594-8067.
Just three years ago, Marine Corps veteran Mikala Peters was living without running water or electricity; and, unaware that help was available. “I didn’t know that TVC was a thing, […]
