We know you’ll enjoy this Gulf War account about Army battalion surgeon and helicopter pilot Rhonda Cornum–a major, wife of an Air Force officer and mother of a 14-year-old daughter–who was captured when her helicopter was shot down deep in Iraqi territory. One of only three survivors, Cornum required medical care for fractured arms, a broken finger, a smashed knee and lacerations–and received it after three days of being roughly shuttled from bunkers to primitive prisons. That she survived the painful, humiliating ordeal all the way to Baghdad and repatriation via the International Red Cross was due not only to her grit but to an irrepressible vitality. Review and buy book.

Twenty years ago this month, U.S. troops were rapidly dispatched to Saudi Arabia and surrounding areas. Their mission? Deter potential southward movement of Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi forces into that kingdom. By month’s end, U.S. ground strength reached 30,000 troops. Join us for a look back.

Millions of dollars are waiting to be claimed by service members and veterans who were stop lossed, and time is running out! Those whose service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2009 are eligible for the average $3,700 benefit. But you must submit your claim by Oct. 21, 2010. Find out more, and don’t forget to tell a friend!

A new Veterans of Foreign Wars Post recently opened in Seneca, NY. Unlike other Posts, the Dorothy Kubik/Katherine Galloway Post 12097 has a membership in which women are the majority. Female veterans from this region served and sacrificed in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, these ladies gained a social outlet of mutual support and can get help obtaining well-deserved services and health benefits. Discover more about why they’re rightfully celebrating.

Duty calls: Brigadier General Rhonda Cornum has been called away, but the She Serves Networking Session on August 24 is lucky to have one of this country’s most distinguished Soldiers, Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Cynthia Pritchett, take-on our keynote speaker role.

Already scheduled to attend the networking session as an honoree, CSM (Ret.) Pritchett has jumped at the chance to share her experiences as this country’s longest-serving female Soldier and discuss how those lessons from her military service can be translated to building leaders in the VFW.

Held just once a year during the convention, the She Serves Networking Session (Tuesday, 8/24, 7 to 9 a.m.) is geared specifically for female veterans just like you. This year’s theme is “Taking Command: Women and Leadership” and the rousing session also offers a great opportunity to network with other female veterans and learn about new VFW initiatives.

If you aren’t able to attend this year, please mark your calendar for next year’s convention in August. You definitely won’t want to miss out on another She Serves Networking Session.

For more information, visit the VFW’s National Convention web page.

Your friends at She Serves would love to know if you plan on attending the convention or specifically, the She Serves Networking Session on August 24. Yes? No? Maybe? Reply to info@joinsheserves.org to let us know!

Here are three great reasons this event SHOULD be on your calendar:

1. Held just once a year during the convention, the She Serves Networking Session (Tuesday, 8/24, 7 to 9 a.m.) is geared specifically for female veterans just like you.
2. This year’s theme is “Taking Command: Women and Leadership” promises an inspirational follow-through led keynote speaker, Brigadier General Rhonda Cornum, Ph.D., M.D.
3. Offers a great opportunity to network with other female veterans and learn about new VFW initiatives.

If you aren’t able to attend this year, please mark your calendar for next year’s convention in August. You definitely won’t want to miss out on another She Serves Networking Session.

For more information, visit the VFW National Convention web page.

The She Serves website website recently received a significant makeover. In fact, you may not recognize her at first. She’s fun, dynamic, and witty. Simple, supportive, and inspiring. Easy to navigate and chock full of the news that matters most to female veterans.

Thinking about joining the VFW? The new She Serves website makes it super easy. Primarily a recruitment tool, the site clearly spells out the awesome benefits of VFW membership. Not only that, it guides you through the application process showing you exactly how to sign up online as a member-at-large. With sisterhood and camaraderie at its core, the website speaks to female veterans of every generation, inviting each one of you to become an active member in the nation’s largest combat veterans’ organization. After all, you’ve earned it!

For just $35 per year, a member-at-large status offers the Camaraderie, Support, Connections, Advocacy and Distinction that are rightfully yours! Find out more.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service recently announced more than $5 million in grants to aid homeless female veterans and veterans with families.  Twenty-six grants in 14 states and the District of Columbia will provide job training, counseling and placement services to reintroduce homeless female veterans to the labor force. See the list of grantees that are helping women veterans get back on their feet.

One of the Navy’s 317 female pilots, Commander Sara Joyner will be promoted to captain this September and is scheduled to report to Carrier Air Wing 14 at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California next summer. She was also the first woman to command an operational fighter squadron known as the Gunslingers, which flew more than 1,880 combat missions. Discover more about Joyner’s accomplishments.