While at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, I was looking at our American flag, as I always do. Most of the time it is flapping in the wind, or on rare occasions, it is still. And I thought—what does the flag mean to me? When I was young, I didn’t think much about wars. My father and uncles were in World War II and the Korean War. They never spoke about what happened. I learned much later that I was being shielded from the reality of war. But then the Vietnam War came al

Like many people, I spent the better part of my life in the workforce.  Long commutes, long hours, and family responsibilities did not leave much time for volunteering, but finding a way to honor and support veterans was always a desire, due mainly to the veterans in my family and those that I have had the pleasure of working with.  With limited free time, I just couldn’t find a way to locate the right volunteer opportunities, and I also had concerns about the time I could de

Ohio Western Reserve Ladies is an organization primarily focused on honoring those interred at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery and supporting their families, with a parallel mission of connecting with and serving the veteran community. However, it is our often unseen commitment to youth development and engagement that will ultimately ensure this legacy endures. When Kat and I first met, she shared her strong passion for youth outreach and involvement. That passion alig

This is an exciting time as we begin 2026. The hustle and bustle of the holidays has slowed, and now many of us can refocus on ourselves and on others. This is the time when we can write a new chapter in our personal stories. Do you set a New Year’s resolution? I, for one, don’t. I tend to struggle with resolutions, and when I fall short, it leaves me feeling frustrated—which is not how I want to start a new year. I always have good intentions to better myself. I want to work

The holidays are an odd dichotomy for me—and for many of those I talk to in this community. While this season is meant to represent renewal, rebirth, cheer, lights, festivities, and family, for many of us there is a missing person or a tradition that simply isn’t the same. Sometimes it’s a harder season than normal for reasons we can’t always name, but it makes this time of year feel different. I encourage you to look for the glimpses. Maybe it’s the image of your loved one

I am often asked by friends and family why I go to interments.Why I stand in the sweltering heat of summer and the brutal cold of winter.Why I choose to witness some of life’s most emotional moments, over and over again. For me, the answer is simple. I feel called to give back to our Veterans—to show them that they mattered, that they are remembered, and that their lives hold meaning beyond the day they are laid to rest. Every time I hear Taps, it brings me a deep and steadyi

The hustle and bustle of the holidays is quickly approaching. Many of us feel there just isn’t enough time in a day to accomplish everything we need to do—and sometimes, that can make it easy to overlook the quiet struggles of others. It’s a season that reminds us to pause, take a breath, and look around. Not everyone’s battles are visible, and not all struggles are financial. Suicide continues to rise, and for many, it feels like the only way out of the pain they’re experien

Fall is upon us. The days are getting shorter, the early darkness is settling in, and that familiar football-weather chill has arrived. As we approach Veterans Day and the upcoming REVS22 event in Lorain, I find myself reflecting deeply on mental health and suicide awareness. Our group, Ohio Western Reserve Ladies (OWRL), carries the mission, “No Veteran Buried Alone.” Those words echo the values of my military service and the creed that still resonates within me — “No man l

I’m so appreciative of the intangible things you provided me, which went way beyond love and acceptance. Normally, I speak of those intangible things as risk and business skills. But more so than that—the ability to grow an organization like OWRL, No Veteran Buried Alone. To have humility in service. To build a brand with integrity and so well-known to donors and resources that it lifts others up simply by existing. This lesson was offered to so many, but so few learned it. I

We’re delighted to welcome and congratulate our newly elected board members, Bonnie Gardner as Vice President, and Nancy Robinson as...

By Kat Johnson, Chairwoman of Ohio Western Reserve Ladies Each year, September is marked as Suicide Awareness Month—a time when...

By Kat Johnson, Chairwoman of Ohio Western Reserve Ladies In the military, we learned to share what we had—even when we didn’t have much....

As OWRL continues to grow and the need for our advocacy continues to grow, we will be adding a blog! You will see articles and...