Women Veterans Share Their Stories: Military Service, Trauma Recovery, and VA Healthcare Reform

In this powerful episode of American Potential , host David From speaks with Army combat veteran Dallas Knight and retired Air Force Colonel Lorraine Schleder about their journeys of service, sacrifice, and healing. They recount experiences from Iraq combat missions to aeromedical evacuations, and how those challenges shaped their drive to continue serving fellow veterans after returning home. Knight shares why she founded Operation Juliet, a nonprofit dedicated to helping female veterans recover from military sexual trauma (MST) and reconnect with their sense of identity, while Schleder explains her work with Veterans Navigation Network, guiding veterans through VA healthcare, disability claims, and suicide prevention resources. Together, they offer powerful insight into the urgent need for VA reform, mental health support, and a national effort to truly see and hear our veterans beyond a simple “thank you for your service.”