In this episode, we dive into the incredible journey of Sarah Blum, a former military nurse who served during the Vietnam War. From her early days as a serious child with an old soul to her experiences in one of the most challenging environments imaginable, Sarah shares her powerful story of resilience, strength, and advocacy for women veterans

Sarah Blum, Vietnam War Military Nurse and Author

Sarah Blum served as a military nurse during the Vietnam War, stationed at the 12th Evac Hospital beside the Hobo Woods. She is the author of "Warrior Nurse, Healer: PTSD and Healing" and "Women Under Fire: Abuse in the Military." Her experiences have shaped her into a strong advocate for women veterans, particularly those who have faced sexual assault in the military.

Childhood and Early Influences:

• Sarah reflects on her early years, growing up during WWII and developing a sense of independence and strength from a young age. She shares memories of playing with a simple yet cherished baby doll and coach, and how these experiences shaped her character.

Pursuit of Nursing and Military Career:

• From creating a career booklet at nine years old to joining the military in response to the Vietnam War, Sarah outlines her path to becoming a nurse and the challenges she faced, including height restrictions and initial rejections by different branches of the military.

Experiences in Vietnam:

• Sarah provides a harrowing account of her time at the 12th Evac Hospital, where she dealt with constant casualties and extreme conditions. She describes the intense pressure, the emotional toll, and the unrelenting demands of her role.

Impact of Military Service:

• Reflecting on how her service impacted her personally and professionally, Sarah discusses the resilience and strength she gained, as well as the stories and experiences that fueled her advocacy work and writing.

Advice for Women in the Military:

• Sarah offers candid advice to women considering joining the military and those already serving. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, awareness of the challenges they might face, and the necessity of maintaining personal power and resilience.

Resources Mentioned:

• "Warrior Nurse, Healer: PTSD and Healing" by Sarah Blum-launch date-March 6, 2025
• "Women Under Fire: Abuse in the Military" by Sarah Blum www.womenunderfire.net

Quotes:

• “I was alone on the street from the time I was three. In 1942, my dad was in WWII, and he bought me a baby doll and coach. It was glorious to me.”
• “Imagine being a sensitive young nurse in the worst area hospital in Vietnam, working 16-20 hours a day regularly, standing in the blood of wounded soldiers.”

Social Media:

https://twitter.com/SarahLBlum

https://www.facebook.com/sarah.l.blum.1

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Are you concerned about the intersection of mental health, firearm safety, and women veterans? This episode of Dog Tag Diaries takes a moment to speak to an advocate and partner for all three. Join us in getting to know a bit about Donna Marie Drucker, her close affiliation to the armed forces, and her advocacy for these important topics. Her conversation with Captain Dakota and Captain Kim explores important topics such as the stigmas and barriers that prevent effective suicide prevention among female firearm owners, and the lack of data specific to suicide in female veterans. Donna talks about her unique background as the daughter of a gunsmith who understands both the importance of gun rights, as well as gun safety, and how this led to her work with the Oregon Fire and Safety Coalition. Learn more about the impact of PTSD, family struggles, and how healthcare providers are being trained to ask the right questions and provide support that respects the veteran experience. Be both surprised and touched by Donna’s personal story of her suicide attempt and how it transformed her mission to help others. This episode is a powerful testament to the strength and dedication of those working to create safer communities and support mental health. Don’t miss this inspiring and informative learning opportunity.

Today’s guest –

Donna Marie Drucker grew up in an intriguing and unique environment. She attended a small village school with just 30 students, a stark contrast to the education her own children now receive. Her father was both a gunsmith and a passionate military antiques collector, filling their home with an eclectic array of historical artifacts. Mannequins adorned in uniforms, swords, bayonets, and various military paraphernalia became a normal part of life for Donna. It wasn't until she grew older that she realized her upbringing, enveloped in the scent of mothballs and the presence of military relics, was quite extraordinary and not something everyone experienced. She currently works with the Oregon Fire and Safety Coalition (information below). donnamarie.ofsc@gmail.com

Information on how listeners can support the Oregon Firearm Safety Coalition and Together with Veterans NW Oregon.

Oregon Firearm Safety Coalition

www.OFSC.us

Together with Veterans

http://www.twv-nworegon.org/

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day 7 days a week

English/Spanish: 988

Veterans: 988 & Press 1

Oregon Youthline: for youth to connect with other youth

Text: Teen2Teen to 839863 to instantly text with another person

Trevor Project: supporting LGBTQiA+ youth

Text START to 678678 or TrevorLifeLine 1(866) 488-7386

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Contact Us:

Are you a woman who has served in the military and have a story to share? Reveilleandretreat@gmail.com – Put “Story to Share” in the Subject Line!

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In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, we delve into the powerful and deeply personal story of Amber. Born in Redmond, Oregon, and raised in Bend, Oregon, Amber shares her experiences growing up as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses alongside her sister, Ariane. Despite a sheltered and often challenging childhood, marked by constant comparisons to her sister, Amber sought to carve her own path and prove her worth.

Key Points:

• Early Life: Born to Guy and Jane Thomas, Amber describes her upbringing in a strict religious household and the pressures she faced to live up to her sister’s achievements.

• Marriage and Move: At 18, she moved to Quantico, Virginia, with her high school sweetheart who joined the Marine Corps.

• Military Service: Inspired by the challenging nature of the Marine Corps, she enlisted at 19 and became a military police officer, striving to prove her strength and capabilities in a male-dominated environment.

• Personal Struggles: While serving, she faced significant personal traumas, including being sexually assaulted by her first sergeant, leading to a difficult decision to have an abortion.

• Career and Resilience: Despite facing gender discrimination and personal abuse, Amber served for 12 years and worked at four different duty stations. Her perseverance and dedication were unwavering, even as she dealt with the pain and struggles of being one of the few women in her field.

• Medical Retirement: At 31, she was medically retired from the Marine Corps due to multiple injuries and PTSD stemming from her experiences.

• Post-Military Life: After leaving the service, she pursued education in hairstyling, barbering, and esthetics, becoming a self-employed professional.

• Healing Journey: Over the past year, Amber has been living in Sedona, Arizona, focusing on healing and working through her trauma, embracing her journey of self-discovery and resilience.

Join us as Amber opens up about her journey, from a quiet, sheltered child to a strong and resilient woman who continues to overcome her past and look forward to the future. Her story is a testament to the strength and courage of military women everywhere.

Follow Amber:

Instagram: @its_ambervi

Facebook: Amber Donnelly

https://www.roadwarrior.org

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• Instagram: reveilleandretreatproject

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Contact Us: Have a story to share? Reveilleandretreat@gmail.com

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Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

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You aren’t alone.

If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide contact the

Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

A young woman enlisted in the military seeking structure and a sense of professionalism. Instead, she encountered challenges, sorrow, and hardship while fulfilling her duties stateside and overseas. To cope, she had to suppress her emotions. Only when she discovered a supportive community of female service members sharing her experiences did she feel comfortable enough to confront and work through her emotions, beginning the path toward healing.

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Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

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You aren’t alone.

If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide contact the

Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

We honor Laura's friend, who served in the military and which Laura shared with us tragically lost her life in a domestic violence encounter.

Elizabeth Estabrooks served as the Deputy Director at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Center for Women Veterans (CWV) in Washington, D.C. where she operated as the subject matter expert on women veteran issues, concerns, and needs both within and outside VA, speaking vehemently in favor of changes that improved safety and equity for women veterans. She was the lead on organizational and strategic planning, led development and implementation of new initiatives to support and enhance CWV’s mission and vision, and worked with researchers to lead the production of two Congressionally mandated studies: 1) Study on Unemployment Rate of Post 9/11 Women Veterans and 2) The Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence in the Veteran Population. She was also the VA lead on development of a first-ever VA woman veterans’ survey to identify and understand low rates of VA benefits and healthcare usage by women.

Prior to assuming her role as Deputy Director, Elizabeth served as the Oregon Woman Veterans Coordinator with the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs where she brought decades of knowledge and experience gained from her career working on relevant issues that included: domestic violence, (military) sexual assault, peer support services, community safety, gender- and culturally responsive services, and adult learning. In 2017, Elizabeth co-founded the I Am Not Invisible campaign and photo project for women veterans: a project that, due to her efforts, was adopted as a permanent program by the VA Center for Women Veterans in 2018.

Previously, she worked as an independent consultant advising clients that included the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; Oregon Department of Human Services; Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training; Battered Women’s Justice Project; Mental Health Partnerships of Pennsylvania; and the Edmonton Police Department in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Elizabeth is a Peacetime Cold War Veteran of the United States Army, serving at Harvey Barracks in Kitzingen, Germany. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Gender Studies and Political Science from Eastern Oregon University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University in New York. She was appointed to the VA Secretary’s Task Force on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access in 2021 and the VA National Domestic Violence Task Force in 2012 and was a 2013 Fisher-Cummings Washington, D.C. Fellow.

She now travels and focuses on writing a blog and two books, speaking, and engaging as a freelance changemaker and consulting as a subject matter expert on women veterans.

www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethaestabrooks

https://www.instagram.com/lizzzarde/

https://medium.com/@ElizabethEstabrooks

Trigger Warning: Foul Language

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Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

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You aren’t alone.

If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide contact the

Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1,

Welcome to today’s episode of Dog Tag Diaries. We have an incredibly powerful and inspiring true story to share with you. Our guest is a courageous military woman who has faced gender discrimination and sexual harassment during her service. We’ll be discussing the profound effects these experiences have had on her and how she has demonstrated remarkable resilience, with the help of supportive individuals and resources. Her story is one of strength, courage, and hope.

Kim Liska served in the United States Army/Reserves as a Combat Medic, Combat Nurse, Flight Nurse Instructor and one of the Top Female athletes in the Army. Kim worked 20+ years as an ER nurse and decided to explore the world as a travel nurse. She's an Advanced Wilderness Expedition Provider and Chief Medical Officer for numerous endurance/survival expeditions in different countries. Kim has a son, Jace and a daughter in law, Sammy and 2 grand animals, Joey & Bear. Her dog Camo is her best buddy. Camo is the sweetest yellow Labrador Retriever to walk this earth. He loves licking snow, riding the ocean waves, visiting carnivore food trucks and loves belly rubs and treats. Fun Facts: Kim's lived in the Reality TV World! Fear Factor, American Ninja Warrior-Military Edition, American Tarzan, Spartan Namibia and more to come!

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Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

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You aren’t alone.

If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide contact the

Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

Welcome to Dog Tag Diaries. This week, Captain Dakota joins us to share her remarkable journey from high school enlistment to her intense deployment in Iraq. What's it like to transition from small-town life to the chaos of a convoy under attack? Dakota opens up about a life-altering event and its emotional aftermath, offering a raw glimpse into the unseen struggles veterans face. Tune in to hear how she grappled with these challenges and the essential role of mental health support. You'll also learn how she co-founded the Reveille and Retreat Project (and this podcast). Discover her advice for future military women, including her own daughter, and learn how veterans can find their sense of purpose post-deployment. This podcast is about the transformative power of sharing stories, and we are glad you are part of it. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of resilience, community, and healing.

Dakota Olson-Harris currently serves in the Army National Guard and has been for the past 15 years. She enlisted as a tank mechanic then earned her commission as a Combat Engineer Officer. She has two deployments, Iraq and United Arab Emirates. On the civilian side Dakota works as a counselor providing readjustment counseling for Veterans, current service members, and their families. Dakota is a wife and a bonus mom to four kiddos. They have recently added to their family with a baby girl, totaling five kids. They also have two dogs, Paco and Elsa. Her family loves to go on adventures whether it's walks, hiking, camping, or just going on a road trip to visit family.

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

You aren’t alone.

If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide contact the

Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

Dog Tag Diaries provides a platform for military women to tell their stories and speak their truths. We are not only raising awareness about military trauma, and mental health but fostering a supportive community where women can find strength and inspiration in each other's stories. It's an informative way to reduce stigma and promote healing through open dialogue and exploration of therapeutic modalities. Our goal is to increase connections among women to offer empowerment, encouragement, and a sense of belonging as we each navigate the unique challenges and experiences faced by women in the military.

Each week we’ll invite a woman who has served in the military to share her experience and how it has impacted her, or we will bring in a guest who can speak about the healing abilities of specific therapeutic methods. This is a podcast you don’t want to miss.

Don't forget to follow or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and share with a friend who will appreciate these stories and learn about these resources. Starting June 12th, tune in every Wednesday for new episodes.