Feature Story and Photos by Larry H. Oskin, South Lake Tablet
On June 12, 1948, President Truman signed into law the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, allowing women to serve as permanent regular members of the military. This date is now a designated holiday to annually commemorate and honor those women who have proudly served and still serve our country.
In recognition of Women in the Armed Forces, Michael’s Foundation celebrated “Women Veterans Day” on June 11, with a program for mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, and neighbors.
The Women Veterans Day Celebration included a host of dignitaries, special guest speakers, yard games, crafts, complimentary lunches and time with other women veterans as well as some therapeutic time with the horses on their ranch. With warm heartfelt welcoming messages from Michael’s Foundation COO Eileen Daley and Co-Founder, Kriss Titus, there were many diverse presentations sharing valuable resources, therapies, support and help for all women veterans.
Founder Kriss Titus noted how Michael’s Foundation was started in 2019 after her son passed. Michael’s Foundation was established to help veterans and their families with ongoing programs, special events, therapies and equine therapy. After proudly serving his country and suffering from PTSD, her son Michael sadly took his own life, which devastated their entire family. Titus shared, “Our Women Veterans are heroes and trailblazers for freedom. They are warriors. They are leaders. They continue to leave their mark in this world by inspiring young women to follow the pathway in serving their country as a proud US Service Member. What a lasting legacy these Women veterans have made. Michael’s Foundation is honored to support these women who have served our country with honor and valor.” She added, “I am humbled and honored to celebrate Women’s Veterans Day! We all need to honor the incredible leadership and valor shared by so many women.”
Marie Bogdonoff, Founder, President and COO of Villagers for Veterans and Ashley’s House shared that the organization’s mission is to make a difference with one veteran at a time. She added, “We want to help our women veterans out of homelessness to get back into a productive life while helping to pay it forward by helping other needy women vets. By working together, we can make a difference!”
Kathryn Wilgus, Veteran and Vice President of Villagers for Veterans and Ashley’s House, shared, “I’m really very proud and honored that Michael’s Foundation is recognizing women veterans for their service to America. Our unified mission from each of our organizations is to openly help honor and empower our women veterans. While sometimes in disguise, many women have honorably served on the front lines as well as assisted those in combat since the Revolutionary and Civil Wars as nurses, assistants and medical support staff. Women served in Korea, Vietnam and all world wars. Today, women actively serve in combat and hold many posts shared by their male counterparts. Valor knows no gender. While many women veterans are unfortunately in hiding, some don’t always take pride in their service. Women veterans are often overlooked, as most people are quick to recognize, thank and salute their male counterparts. I am a proud vet. I was an operating room nurse serving in Afghanistan. My husband served in Iraq. My twin sister Stephanie served in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
Sea 2 Sea Founder and veteran Ron Moore, Jr. was at the event and shared the benefits of his organization’s support services. This organization was created to break the silence of mental health and PTSD that affects our veterans and first responders. Its mission is to bring awareness to the public concerning the causes along with the symptoms of post-traumatic stress and mental health. They work to assist those battling inner wounds with brother and sisterhood outreach programs at no cost to them. Call 352-818-7168 or visit: www.Sea2Sea4PTSD.org.
Other notable speakers included Priscilla Kalagian, Veteran and Chair to Mayor Dyer’s Veterans Council, Lena McCamish-Kane, US Coast Guard Veteran and Campaign Manager, United Way of Lake & Sumter Counties and Pam Jones, Community Relations Representative of Congressman Daniel Webster.
Upcoming Events: All Michael’s Foundation events are free for veterans and their families. These events are held at the Al-Marah Horse Farm 11105 Autumn Lane in Clermont, FL.
- Heroes Connection Day: Saturday, June 25 from 10 AM to noon. This program will provide tools and skills for how one’s interactions with a horse can translate to helping veterans better manage everyday stressors and situations. Veterans can expect to join fellow vets, their Equine Director Kyle and Certified Yoga Therapist Eileen Daley as you learn and move through mindfulness exercises and techniques.
- Horsemanship for Women Veterans: Wednesday, June 29 from 6 to 7 PM. Veteran women are invited to this fun and interactive program. Veterans will learn key components of horsemanship and how to apply the attributes in their own lives, while connecting with other veterans and building community. Join other veteran in learning how to lead a horse through obstacle courses, proper horsemanship principles like grooming and safety.
- Coffee Brews & Moves: Saturday, July 9 from 10 AM to noon. All veterans are invited to bring a buddy. Get ready to sweat with fellow vets at Coffee Brews & Moves! This will include a morning of movement and connection here at Michael’s Foundation, while fully caffeinated! Join Eileen Daley, Certified Yoga Therapist and personal trainer and Chris Allison, veteran and certified personal trainer.
RSVP! Veterans and their families are asked to RSVP and register on their website https://michaels-foundation.org/events/ for each free event.
Get Involved! Call 407-917-3150. Visit www.Michaels-Foundation.org and follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/michaelsfoundationflorida. All events will be held on Al-Marah Arabian’s Horse Farm at 11105 Autumn Lane, Clermont, FL 34711. Events are free for veterans and their families while donations are gratefully accepted.
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Michael’s Foundation has been established to support veterans and their families by restoring life of purpose, encouraging empowerment while promoting health and well-being through Farm Fun Day programs and beneficial support services. Michael’s Foundation is a local non-profit 501-C3 program where horses help empower military veteran heroes, their families and our community through calming interaction. Founded by President Kriss Titus and supported by Board Chairman Mark Miller, they provide free veteran benefit guidance and experience-based support services made possible by a partnership with Alan Alford’s “Fighting for Our Heroes Foundation”. With revitalizing calming practices with horses, they lead Horse Wellness workshops led by certified professionals promoting health and wellness. They facilitate a complete series of programs with cross-fit inspired and functional fitness sessions including yoga classes and therapy sessions. They have beneficial drum circles, sound healing, women’s circles and certified equine based workshops.
Ashley’s House is being built as a 4,000 square foot transitional residence to house up to six women veterans at a time. It will comfortably house six homeless veterans including two handicap accessible veterans, giving all of these women a sense of independence while working to regain control of their lives. Many female veterans have unfortunately suffered physical and mental trauma, PTSD and sexual abuse. Ashley’s House is being built to honor the exemplary legacy of First Lieutenant Ashley White-Stumph for her ultimate sacrifice to protect America. Ashley’s House will be located on Grove Street in Eustis, Florida. White was killed during combat in Kandahar Province in Afghanistan in 2011. She was assigned to the 230th Brigade Support Battalion, the 30th Heavy Brigade Support Team, the North Carolina National Guard. White was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart to honor her and inspire others. For more information, Call 352-751-7611 or visit: www.VillgersForVeterans.org
Villagers for Veterans, founded in 2015, looks to service all veterans where there is a need, while making sure no veteran falls between the cracks or is left behind. They bring awareness and support to the many challenges faced by veterans, especially those who suffer from homelessness, PTSD, suicide and transition. They have provided veterans with all-terrain chairs, service dogs, Smart ADA housing, grants to help cover emergency expenses and the sponsorship of ongoing events besides the launch of Ashley’s House.
