With help from the Women’s Bureau of the Department of Labor, Tampa Crossroads lined up free services and help for Women’s Veterans in Tampa on Saturday at “Stand Down, Stand Up for Women Veterans.” More than 30 organizations set up at Al Lopez Park in Tampa, where women vets were offered a variety of services ranging from education assistance, counseling, and even on site medical treatment.
Veterans are often praised and honored for their service to their country, but many returning soldiers are finding out that life after duty is more of a battle than they expected. Kim Silas served in the US Army for 5 years, earning the rank of sergeant, but has also struggled with homelessness.
But even while Silas had to cope with her own personal issues, she has raised her 17 year old Marcus all the while. Although she has found an outlet in poetry.
She shared one of her poems that has given her strength called “Magnificent Women.”
In addition to the VA hospital, other groups offered counseling and support for the women at the stand down. Moffitt Cancer Center brought out a team of doctors to give free skin cancer screenings to honor the veterans.
