He Still Serves – Just Closer to Home

For years, they served our country with strength, precision and sacrifice. These men stood tall in the face of danger, protected their brothers in arms and carried the physical and emotional weight of war. However, for many Veterans, the hardest mission begins after the uniform comes off – and after tiny voices start calling them “Dad.” This Father’s Day, we honor a different kind of courage because healing from trauma, injury and the emotional toll of service is its own battlefield. 

Many Veteran fathers face challenges most can’t see like sleep disruption, anxiety, lingering injuries or post-traumatic stress. Yet, they’re motivated to get back up for their family. These men want to be present, model resilience and show their kids the importance of taking care of yourself. 

At Boots to Health Foundation, we believe that Veteran dads deserve the tools to be whole – physically, mentally and emotionally. Whether it’s attending a peer-ed workout to rebuild strength, talking with a therapist to process years of service-related stress or attending a wellness check-in every step forward is an act of bravery. 

This Father’s Day, we invite you to see strength in a new light. It’s found not just in resilience and courage, but in vulnerability and healing. We celebrate the Veterans who are choosing compassion over toughness, who lead their families with love and patience. Being a strong father isn’t about never breaking — it’s about showing up, caring deeply and embracing the journey toward wellness. We honor your path, stand with you and believe in the power of healing. Because the most meaningful legacy you can give isn’t medals or tales of battle, but the gift of presence, health and love for those who call you Dad.

References

Boots to Health Foundation. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved June 16, 2025, from https://www.bootstohealthfoundation.org/

Give an Hour. (n.d.). Free mental health services. Retrieved June 16, 2025, from https://giveanhour.org/

National Center for PTSD. (n.d.). PTSD information and resources. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved June 16, 2025, from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). Caregiver support. Retrieved June 16, 2025, from https://www.caregiver.va.gov/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). Veterans crisis line. Retrieved June 16, 2025, from https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). Whole health. Retrieved June 16, 2025, from https://www.va.gov/wholehealth/

Wounded Warrior Project. (n.d.). Programs and services. Retrieved June 16, 2025, from https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/