Veterans are the light at the tip of the candle, illuminating the way for the whole nation. If veterans can achieve awareness, transformation, understanding, and peace, they can share with the rest of society the realities of war. And they can teach us how to make peace with ourselves and each other, so we never have to use violence to resolve conflicts again.

—Thich Nhat Hanh

2024 Memorial Council at American Lake VA

Veteran Vibrations at the Seattle Vet Center with the music of Listening to Smile

Veteran Rites with the The Wilderness Guides Council

This Veterans Day we bow to Veterans and the Civilian Angels that have and stand with us as we move with slow urgency to step into a new story that begins to live up to the Thich Nhit Hanh’s call to “to make peace with ourselves and each other, so we never have to use violence to resolve conflicts again.”

Behind every Veteran story is a family and community of unsung heros that step into the circle our lives to bear the grief and the praise of the greatest stories ever told, the story of humans healing and living together fully and authentically.

This Veterans Day, we would especially like to honor all of the Veterans that answered the call with Veteran Rites to share their story of transformation and the lineage of often unseen family members, friends, partners, spouses, wisdom keepers, translators, and allies in these lands and beyond that have our backs.

To the Veterans and Civilians in 2024 that went above and beyond to volunteer deep time, space, or resources in order to make transformation happen for others, thank you for all you carry for and with us.

Jamo Gaines

Twan Martin

Debbee Maraglio-Lynn

Maria De Jesus Gomez

Aaron Hughes

Landon Kinsey

Semba Love

Jessica Gorée-Medoff

Dan Medoff

Briana Foster

Brandon Dorrington

Dell Leeth

John Smedstad

Sarah Blum

Carol Mussotter

Galen Stilwel

Sara Harris

Mitchell Brookman

Tara Souch

Pete Krawitz

Erin Cooper

Silvia Talavera

Trebbe Johnson

Sher Diwatahan

John Crary and Barabara Whiteside-Crary

Sheila Sebron

Steve Fronckowiak

Swil Kanim

Chris Wolf

Mark and Amanda Oravsky

Jim and Michelle Baumgart

Jeffrey Goldstein

Gigi Coyle

Jackson Sillars

Donny Reed

Danny Frazier

Wade and Teresa King

Banks Lake Brewery

Urban Log Studios

Hub City Honey Company

Nine9Line Veteran Services

Seattle Vet Center Staff

American Lake VA Suicide Prevention

Wilderness Guides Council

Seward Park Audubon

Change the Narrative WA

Seahawks and Task Force 12 Partners

The Marie B&B (Olympia)

Susan Hobbs

Larry Hobbs

The Hobbs Family

Our entire Donor Fellowship that stand with us.

The lands, waters, and people on this plane and the next that give us the privilege to heal on ceded or unceded indigineous land.

May we continue to move in combined arms to Leave No Story Behind with Love and Honor.