Every year, we hear thousands of veteran stories. Some are quiet. Some are heavy. Some are full of triumph. But every now and then, a few words land so deeply that they stay with us long after the conversation ends.
These quotes, offered by veterans willing to share their hardest truths and their brightest moments, remind us why this work matters, why community matters, and why listening matters.
Here are the words we carried with us this year and why they continue to shape our mission.
“Life is not about what happens to you; it is about what you do for others when it happens.” — Jensen Shirley
“My call has been to serve God, country, and others. Now, my call is to serve until the service is done.”
Jensen’s words reshape the way we think about service. To him, service is not a chapter of life. It is a calling that evolves. His reminder is simple and profound: adversity is not the story. What we do with it is.
His commitment to keep showing up for others challenges all of us to do the same.
(From “Service Over Self: A Veteran Trailblazer Paves the Way”)
“Find one thing forward that needs you” — Shea La Sage
“A dog. A friend. A habit that gets you outside. Let it pull you forward. Teamwork saved me at sea; community saved me on land. And if you can’t see the way out yet, borrow someone else’s eyes for a little while. There’s good ahead. I promise.”
Shea’s voice is one of hope grounded in lived experience. He reminds us that healing rarely happens alone. Sometimes the thing that saves us is small: a dog, a habit, a friend. But it gives us something to hold onto when everything else feels unsteady.
And when you cannot see a way out, he says, that is when you borrow someone else’s eyes.
(From “Bane and the Veteran He Saved”)
“When I was homeless, I didn’t have a home, and I didn’t have myself. I was completely lost.” — Matthew Landis
Matthew’s raw honesty cuts through the myths about homelessness. His story shows how losing stable housing can unravel identity, belonging, and self-worth.
But his journey shows the opposite as well. With help, community, and persistence, you can rebuild your life and reclaim your sense of self.
(From “The Fight to Rebuild”)
“I wondered how many others didn’t know about it either.” — Yvette Jones Swanson
“I saw how poor people lived in those single rooms, and I thought, ‘Wow, if I knew there was this $350 room, I could have borrowed money and stayed for a month or two.’ I just didn’t know about it.”
Yvette’s reflection exposes one of the most devastating but fixable gaps for veterans in crisis: information. Sometimes the difference between stability and homelessness is simply knowing a resource exists.
Her experience turned into fuel. She made it her mission to ensure others do not fall through the cracks because no one told them what was available.
(From “The Unstoppable Mission of Yvette Jones Swanson”)
“You don’t ask for help if you have no idea it’s available.” — Katt Whittenberger
Katt captures a truth many veterans live every day. It is not pride that keeps people from reaching out. It is isolation, confusion, or lack of awareness.
Her work building community in the mountains shows what happens when someone bridges that gap. Connection becomes possible. Support becomes accessible. Lives change.
(From “How a Navy Veteran Is Building Community in the Mountains”)
“You’ve really got to show up and keep doing the work.” — Michelle Lang
Michelle’s message is a call to action for anyone who serves rural veterans. Support is not a one-time event. It is a steady effort across long distances and long seasons.
Her message is a reminder that rural veterans deserve equal access, equal attention, and equal commitment. Reaching them requires showing up again and again.
(From “Connecting Rural Veterans and Their Families Through Operation Honor Rural Salute”)
“Heal the inflammation, and you can get your life back. Heal the brain, and you save the person.” — Owen Lonsdale
Owen’s words capture both the urgency and the hope behind innovative care for traumatic brain injury. He reminds us that healing is deeply personal.
For many veterans, healing the brain is not only medical progress. It is the key to reclaiming identity, memory, and possibility.
(From “Owen Lonsdale’s HBOT Journey”)
Why These Words Matter
These quotes are not just stories. They are lessons. They show us that:
- Service continues long after the uniform comes off.
- Community can save a life.
- Information can prevent a crisis.
- Rural voices deserve to be reached.
- Healing is possible, and worth fighting for.
Most of all, they remind us that listening is powerful. When veterans speak, they give us a roadmap for how to show up better, connect more fully, and build systems that honor their lived experience.
These are the words we carry with us. These are the voices shaping the work ahead.
Share Your Voice With Mission Roll Call
Your story can lift someone up, spark change, or help another veteran feel less alone. If you have something to say about your journey, your community, or the challenges veterans face, Mission Roll Call is listening.
Share your voice. Add your perspective. Help shape the national conversation on veterans’ issues. We want to hear from you.
Every year, Mission Roll Call (MRC) connects directly with America’s veterans through polls, surveys, and open discussions to better understand their experiences and priorities. In 2025, thousands of veterans across the country shared their thoughts on healthcare, access, family well-being, and the systems designed to serve them.
Their insights reveal not only what veterans need, but what they teach all of us about resilience, leadership, and the importance of being heard.
Here are ten things veterans taught us in 2025.
1. Choice and Flexibility in Care Matter.
A May 2025 poll on the ACCESS Act of 2025 found that 67% of respondents believe the legislation will improve healthcare outcomes, and 71% of rural veterans said it would enhance timely access.
Lesson: Veterans taught us that empowering individuals with options matters, and one size does not fit all when it comes to care. Whether it’s choosing a provider, accessing services locally, or finding the right treatment, flexibility leads to better outcomes.
2. Innovation Is Essential for Wellness.
In a 2025 poll, 74% of veterans said they would use an online portal to schedule and track their care if one were available.
Lesson: Veterans showed us that innovation and convenience in healthcare aren’t luxuries; they’re expectations. As technology continues to transform the medical landscape, digital tools can bridge gaps, reduce wait times, and help veterans take charge of their health.
3. Transparency Builds Trust.
A March/April 2025 MRC survey found that 64% of veterans said they were concerned or strongly concerned that staffing reductions at the VA would affect their care.
Lesson: Veterans taught us the importance of transparency and stability. When systems change, people feel the impact. Open communication and accountability are critical to maintaining trust with those who’ve served.
4. Inclusion Strengthens Community.
In a November 2025 MRC survey on veteran community and belonging, many respondents reported feeling only “somewhat connected” or “neutral” to the broader veteran community, underscoring the importance of inclusive and generational recognition. The survey is still open, and veterans are encouraged to share their own experiences and perspectives at MissionRollCall.org/Veteran-Voices-Survey.
Lesson: Veterans reminded us that respect spans generations and service eras. From World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan, every story counts, and every veteran deserves recognition.
5. Food Security Is Still a Battle.
In an October 2025 poll, many veterans said they or someone they know had relied on food assistance such as SNAP or local food banks. In a separate Mission Roll Call poll during the federal government shutdown, 91% of veterans said they were concerned about losing access to food assistance, with SNAP benefits set to run dry on November 1.
Lesson: Behind the uniform are real lives, and veterans told us that meeting basic needs like food security is essential. Supporting programs that address hunger among veterans and their families must remain a national priority.
6. Staffing and Resources Shape Real Experiences.
A Mission Roll Call poll found that 44% of veterans were “very concerned” about the impact of recent VA staffing cuts, and 20% were “concerned.” Another 19% were not concerned at all, highlighting the varied experiences across the veteran community.
Lesson: Veterans showed us that staffing and resource changes are more than budget decisions; they directly affect the quality and timeliness of care. Sustainable investment in people and infrastructure matters.
7. Vigilance Protects Those Who Served.
In a July 2025 MRC poll, a significant number of veterans reported having been targeted by financial scams or fraud, highlighting the heightened vulnerability of those who’ve served.
Lesson: Veterans taught us the importance of vigilance and protection. Strong safeguards, education, and awareness are essential to preventing exploitation.
Lesson: Veterans taught us the importance of vigilance and protection. We must continue advocating for stronger safeguards, education, and awareness to prevent financial abuse among those who’ve served.
8. Voices Drive Change.
The ACCESS Act poll reached 1,292 respondents across all 50 states, 85% of whom identified as veterans.
Lesson: Veterans showed us that when they speak, leaders pay attention. Policies grounded in lived experience lead to more meaningful change.
9. Access Means Freedom of Choice.
In the same ACCESS Act poll, 60% of veterans said they were comfortable receiving mental health care from non-VA providers, and 79% said allowing veterans and families to seek care in the community without a VA referral would improve access.
Lesson: Veterans remind us that access isn’t just about eligibility; it’s about proximity, convenience, and the freedom to choose what works best for them and their families.
10. Systems Should Meet Veterans Where They Are.
Across polls and conversations, veterans expressed a common desire for systems that are “user-friendly, efficient, and meet them where they are.”
Lesson: Veterans remind us to design systems around people and not to force people to adapt to systems. When we prioritize accessibility, simplicity, and respect, everyone benefits.
Looking Ahead
This year’s insights show that veterans are not just asking for help; they are offering wisdom. Their opinions, based on our 2025 polls, taught us to lead with compassion, prioritize flexibility, and hold systems accountable to serve the people they were created to support. At Mission Roll Call, we are proud to amplify these voices because when veterans speak, America listens.
Join the Mission. Share Your Voice. Shape the Future.
Mission Roll Call’s 2026 polls are coming, and your voice matters. By participating, you help ensure that every veteran’s perspective is heard by the people who make decisions that affect your life and community.
Join Mission Roll Call today at MissionRollCall.org and be part of the conversation shaping the future for all who served.
At Mission Roll Call, every year starts by listening. In our 2025 annual priorities survey, thousands of veterans, family members, and supporters shared their experiences and perspectives. The result: four core priorities have emerged to guide our work in 2026.
But hearing those priorities is only the beginning. Below are six focus areas that we are carrying forward into 2026. These 6 areas are where veteran voices are driving action, and where we are committed to turning plans into progress.
1. Expanding Access to Quality Healthcare (VA & Non‑VA)
Veterans consistently tell us that timely, high‑quality care is one of their most urgent needs.
In 2026, we are stepping up our efforts to map the barriers veterans face in accessing care and to advocate for policies that remove those obstacles. Expect more research, more storytelling, and more collaborative partnerships aimed at improving outcomes and reducing travel or wait‑time burdens.
Why it matters: Healthcare may be a system, but real care happens person to person. Keeping veterans at the center of the design ensures the system serves, not impedes, them.
2. Supporting Service‑Connected Injuries and Conditions
Many veterans live with long‑term, service‑connected injuries and conditions both visible and invisible.
In 2026, our work will zero in on caregivers, the complexity of chronic care, transitions between active duty and civilian life, and the advocacy required to make sure the benefits and programs veterans earned actually work for them.
Why it matters: Service doesn’t stop at discharge. The condition may persist and the support should too.
3. Enhancing Veteran Suicide Prevention
Preventing veteran suicide remains a top priority.
But in 2026, we’re refining the approach. We’ll explore not only crisis intervention, but prevention before crisis such as peer networks, community connection, non‑clinical wellness, and early engagement.
Why it matters: Countless initiatives exist, but veterans are telling us that what’s missing is reaching them before they hit the edge. We’re committed to shifting earlier on the timeline.
4. Expanding Housing Access & Homelessness Prevention
Every veteran deserves a safe, stable place to live and yet too many remain without it.
Our 2026 efforts will shine a spotlight on the root causes of veteran homelessness: economic instability, healthcare gaps, transitions, and family breakdowns. We’ll profile promising models, support policy change, and elevate veteran‑led solutions in housing stability.
Why it matters: A home is more than a roof—it’s a platform for healing, purpose, and community reintegration.
5. Amplifying Veteran, Family & Caregiver Voices
The four key priorities above emerged because veterans spoke up. This priority remains at the core of Mission Roll Call.
In 2026, we’ll carry forward not just issue‑areas but the method: listening to veterans, families, and caregivers, and turning their perspectives into action. That means more surveys, more regional outreach, more transparency in how we use what we hear.
Why it matters: Change without input is incomplete. When those most affected have a seat at the table, the outcome is stronger.
6. Strengthening Partnerships & Resource Networks
Our advocacy is built on collaboration with veteran service organizations (VSOs), community groups, policymakers, and families.
In 2026, we’ll expand our resource‑directory model, deepen local‑level partnerships, and ensure that knowledge and connection travel as fast as policy changes. That means more stories, more tool‑kits, more live events, and more ways for every veteran to link into the network of support.
Why it matters: When resources are scattered and hard to find, they may as well not exist. Bringing them together amplifies impact.
Looking Ahead
These six focus areas are not silos; they’re interconnected threads in a broader mission. Veterans and families told us what matters; now we carry that work into action.
At Mission Roll Call, we are honored to amplify your voices, turn your feedback into policy and practice, and build a future where every veteran is seen, heard, and supported.
If you haven’t yet participated in our Veteran Voices survey, now’s your chance. Your experience matters, and your voice remains the fuel for change. Join us and be part of the movement.
At Mission Roll Call, everything begins with listening. This year, thousands of veterans, family members, and supporters across the country shared their experiences and perspectives through our annual priorities survey. Together, those voices have shaped our path forward.
Based on what we heard from you, four priorities will guide our work in 2026:
- Access to Quality Healthcare (VA and Non-VA)
- Support for Service-Connected Injuries and Conditions
- Veteran Suicide Prevention
- Housing Access and Homelessness Prevention
These priorities represent both the challenges veterans and families face and the opportunities we have to create meaningful impact in the year ahead.
When veterans, families, and supporters share their stories with us, they shape national conversations. Veteran feedback directly influences how we advocate, the research we conduct, and the partnerships we build to drive progress. Your voices matter!
Access to Quality Healthcare:
Veterans consistently tell us that timely, high-quality care is one of their most urgent needs. Mission Roll Call is currently conducting research to understand where barriers exist and how to improve care across the system. The findings will be published before the end of 2025 and will help guide our advocacy to make access and outcomes stronger for every veteran.
Support for Service-Connected Injuries and Conditions:
From visible wounds to chronic conditions, many veterans face long-term challenges tied to their service. Mission Roll Call is focused on ensuring they receive the care, benefits, and support they’ve earned. This includes spotlighting policy updates, caregiver perspectives, and programs that promote recovery and independence.
Veteran Suicide Prevention:
Suicide prevention remains a top priority. We are gathering data to better understand risk and resilience among veterans and their families. Through upcoming articles, podcasts, and research, we’ll explore ways to strengthen protective supports and expand preventive approaches to mental wellness.
Housing Access and Homelessness Prevention:
Every veteran deserves a safe place to live. Yet too many remain without stable housing. Mission Roll Call continues to highlight stories, research, and resources that address the root causes of veteran homelessness. To learn more about our efforts in 2025, visit our spotlight page on housing and homelessness.
Working Together for Greater Impact
Mission Roll Call’s work is strengthened by collaboration with Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) featured in our Veteran Resource Directory. These partnerships help veterans connect to trusted local resources while ensuring that on-the-ground experiences inform our collective efforts.
Throughout 2026, we’ll share updates, research findings, and real stories through articles, blogs, podcasts, and Mission Roll Call University (MRCU). We’ll also report on progress tied to each of these priorities so that the community remains informed and engaged as we move forward.
Why Your Voice Matters
Every story shared and every survey completed moves the mission forward. Veterans and their families help us see where progress is happening and where it’s still needed, guiding how Mission Roll Call educates, informs, engages, and connects.
Because of you, we are turning individual experiences into collective impact. You’re helping build a stronger future for those who have served, and for the generations that will follow.
Thank you for lending your voice to the mission.