‘Walk a Mile in Her Boots’ lives on
By SUE DOBBE-LEAHY For Shaw Media
Originally Published in the Northwest Herald, Friday, Nov 11, 2022
What started as a one-day event to honor women veterans has transformed into a multi-faceted, lasting art installation and reminder that women in uniform deserve recognition.
In August, a group met at Veterans R&R Operation Wild Horse in Bull Valley to quite literally walk in the footsteps – or bootsteps – of local women veterans.
Fifty veteran women were asked to decorate a pair of their military boots, and the boots lined a walking path that event-goers were encouraged to traverse.
Col. Patty Klop spoke at the event about her personal experiences in the military, her Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and her recent recovery after years of suffering from the disorder.
Now, those boots can be seen in various McHenry County businesses to honor and recognize women veterans not just for Veterans Day, but for the entire month of November.
The Walk a Mile in Her Boots event, and its subsequent shift into an art installation, was a collaborative effort of veteran organizations led by William Chandler Peterson American Legion Post 171 in Crystal Lake.
But the push to recognize women veterans specifically has been a year-long challenge that Post 171 has undertaken after hearing the staggering statistics of veteran suicide risks.
“Our emphasis on women veterans came about when we learned that women veterans are 250 percent more likely to attempt and die from suicide than women who did not serve in the military,” said Bob Dorn, senior vice commander of Post 171.
That statistic, coupled with this year’s National American Legion program titled “Be the One,” which emphasizes being present and ready to act when a veteran is at risk for suicide, galvanized the Crystal Lake legion into action. Its annual Vets 4 Veterans’ & Blue Families in June had a decided focus on women veterans and featured a special tent that allowed females to share conversations.
This month, Dorn and his members partnered with VFW Post 4600 McHenry, VFW Post 12014 Crystal Lake, American Legion Post 491 McHenry, PLAV Post 188 McHenry, and Rush Hospital’s Road Home Program to continue the Walk a Mile in Her Boots program.
Each organization shared in the task of distributing decorated boots to businesses throughout McHenry County.
In addition, local businesses will offer a special insert that highlights 12 local women veterans and shares their stories of serving their country and communities. Donations will be collected to support services to prevent suicide and address PTSD.
Women veterans are less likely to participate in veteran programs and groups as many are male dominated, said Dorn. This isolation can contribute to PTSD and suicide ideation.
Melissa Downey, who has been on active duty in the Army National Guard since 1993, agreed that services for women veterans need to be different.
“I think we have different needs than male veterans because for a long time – and still some[times] now – we have had to face additional challenges due to be a pregnant solider, leaving our children and sometimes the hardest challenge was being considered a peer amongst a majority of male soldiers,” said the Lake in the Hills resident. “When I was the only female in my unit in North Dakota, they all treated me differently and because of [that], I wasn’t promoted with my peers or ahead of my peers when doing better than them. I didn’t realize the inequality until I was older and more experienced. For years, I would mentor female soldiers and discuss how we have to do our jobs and not expect different treatment just because we are female.”
Dorn and Legion members have assembled more than 40 area resources for veterans, with hopes for more engagement and participation by women veterans and their families.
This type of collaboration is very much needed, said Laura Franz, executive director of Veterans Path to Hope, a Crystal Lake nonprofit that works as a hub of resources and services for veterans, particularly with finding employment, housing and community for veterans.
“Bob’s leadership is amazing,” Franz said. “He is a wellspring of motivation who inspires others. He is a real star. He sees what is needed to help others and has assembled several successful outreach programs.”
Franz echoed Downey’s thoughts, noting women veterans seeking assistance often find that services are diluted because so much is male focused.
“Another reason veterans of both sexes do not get help is that they have been trained to be the ones who serve others,” said Franz. “Their mindset is to help others. Even when they come to VPH for services, they return and offer gratitude by emails, letters, phone calls and texts. Then, they ask how they can help us.”
Locations for Walk a Mile in Her Boots can be found at www.LegionCrystalLake171.org, and on the legion Facebook page.