For many of us, a dog is a best friend. For a soldier fighting PTSD, a dog can be a lifesaver.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Veteran who you would like us to feature? CLICK HERE and let us know!
Welcome to our new weekly series, “On Your Side: Veterans Voices”. Our goal is to help Veterans and their families across Southern California with stories touching on all issues- housing, homelessness, mental health, economy/finding jobs, etc. We will also highlight Veterans doing good things and any extraordinary stories that get sent our way.
Latest Videos
Veterans' Voices: Joseph CallahanNavy veteran Joseph Callahan is sharing his experiences in a new book titled "1972: My War Story." The proceeds from his book are being donated to the Veterans Resource Center at the Monrovia Public Library.
Veterans' Voices: Joe LowreyTonight's Veterans' Voices takes a look at how one nonprofit and a local carpenters union are going above and beyond for a Purple Heart veteran and his family. CBS2's Suzanne Marques reports.
Veterans' Voices: Air Force Veteran Katherine PortilloVeteran Katherine Portillo spent 17 years in the U.S. Air Force. She served, sacrificed and loved every minute of it. Little did she know that the fight of her life would come away from the service.
Veterans' Voices: Infinite HeroInfinite Hero is an Orange County nonprofit working to connect active duty, veterans and military family members with innovate and effective treatment programs for service-related injuries.
Veterans' Voices: Air Force Veteran Robbie BrideVeteran Robbie Bride served 10 years in the Air Force, spending time in South America, Afghanistan and Iraq. But when he came home, he faced his toughest fight yet, struggling with with post-traumatic stress disorder and self medicating. But he found a savior in Randy Moraitis, the founder of CarePossible, a non-profit with the mission of providing free mental health and addiction care to veterans and low-income families.
Veterans' Voices: Marine Corps Recruiter Sgt. Devon EspinozaThe U.S. Marine Corps is all about honor, courage, character and commitment — all qualities recruiter Sgt. Devon Espinoza embodies on a daily basis. But Marines are also very much about family and supporting one another as Espinoza and his fellow recruiters did recently for future Marine Luis Solano when his family's vehicle broke down.
Veterans' Voices: Wounded Warrior ProjectMichelle Thompson is a peer leader specialist at the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit helping veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness or wound while serving on or after 9/11.
Veterans' Voices: William 'Monsoon' MimiagaWilliam 'Monsoon' Mimiaga spent 31 years as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, serving two combat tours in Vietnam and one in the Gulf War. Now he's serving his community as a middle school teacher, working with kids who come to him with pasts of their own.
Veterans' Voices: Navy Veteran Porche WilliamsNavy veteran Porche Williams, who was diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, has made it her mission to teach others how to identify people struggling with thoughts of suicide. Her company, Restore Life Global, also trains people in applied suicide intervention to help save lives.
Veterans' Voices: Medal Of Honor Recipient David BellaviaArmy veteran David Bellavia is the first and only living Iraq War veteran to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, the country's highest military honor.
Veterans' Voices: Maj. David PhamMaj. David Pham has been a Marine for 11 years, but his path to the Marine Corps as a Vietnamese American has a little extra meaning and his drive comes from his mother, a Vietnamese refugee.
Veterans' Voices: Michael BarrettMarine Corps veteran Michael Barrett is the director of the VetNet program at Working Wardrobes in Santa Ana. The program provides veterans with career navigation and training, job placement services and clothing to help those who have served transition to civilian life and career success.
Veterans' Voices: Reins Of HopeReins of Hope is a Ventura County-based nonprofit helping veterans heal with equine assisted psychotherapy.
Veterans' Voices: Veteran CoutureNavy veteran Carolina Hernandez, owner of Veteran Couture, refurbishes military uniforms to create designs that embody the strength of women while paying homage to her past. "I wanted to create a collection that it was meaningful," she says.
Veterans Voices: Gold Coast Veterans FoundationGold Coast Veterans Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Ventura County, helps more than 2,000 veterans every month with everything from benefits to housing and mental health.
Veterans Voices: Veterans Stand TogetherGeorge Casillas is the CEO and executive director of Veterans Stand Together, a nonprofit working to empower veterans through cooperation, support and advocacy.
Veterans Voices: Irreverent WarriorsMarine Corps veteran Donny O'Malley comes from a family of service, but after two deployments, he was moved to the Wounded Warrior Battalion. O'Malley then started the nonprofit, Irreverent Warriors and VET Tv, as a way for veterans to get together, laugh and bond.
Veterans Voices: Ventura County Military CollaborativeKim Evans is the founder and executive director of the Ventura County Military Collaborative, a non-profit group designed to coordinate and facilitate local resources available for veterans.
Veterans Voices: VA COVID-19 VaccinesFrom hesitation to limitation, getting the COVID-19 vaccine into arms has been a challenge, one that also exists for high-risk military veterans. Chris Holmstrom reports on the vaccination progress at the VA and what veterans need to do to get their shots.
Veterans Voices: Shelter To Soldier DogsFor many of us, a dog is a best friend. For a soldier fighting PTSD, a dog can be a lifesaver.
Veterans' Voices: Soldiers' AngelsPat Harvey reports.
Veterans Voices: Mindful Veteran ProjectA nonprofit helps veterans stay mindful and be all they can be.
Veterans' Voices: Fisher House Provides Room, Board For Families Of Veterans Undergoing Medical TreatmentSince its inception, Fisher House has hosted more than 400,000 families and has provided more than nine million lodging days to families of veterans undergoing medical treatment at nearby facilities.
Veterans' Voices: Navy Vet Creates Unique Art To Give Back To Those Who ServeVeteran Eric Scarlett spent his time in the Navy not only finding his skilled, but finding his self worth. Now, he's using his skills to create unique art and give back to those who serve.
