Women Veterans of the Ark-La-Tex

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Women Veterans of the Ark-La-Tex The mission of the Women Veterans of the Ark-La-Tex is to honor and assist women Veterans who have and continue to pave the way to freely serve our

07/22/2026

Pvt. Isabella Gonzales

A grateful nation remembers Pvt. Isabella Gonzales of the United States Army.

While supporting Operation Inherent Resolve in the Middle East, she made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the United States.

Her bravery, service, and legacy will never be forgotten. 🇺🇸

07/20/2026

"Today, we honor the memory of Staff Sgt. Amy C. Tirador of Albany, New York, a dedicated soldier who gave her life in service to her country during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Born with a strong sense of duty and commitment, Amy proudly served in the U.S. Army as a member of the 209th Military Intelligence Company. Throughout her military career, she earned the respect of her fellow soldiers through her professionalism, courage, and unwavering dedication to the mission. Her service reflected the highest values of the United States Army and the selfless spirit of those who volunteer to defend freedom.

On November 4, 2009, Staff Sgt. Tirador lost her life while serving in Iraq. She was only 29 years old. Her passing was a heartbreaking loss for her family, friends, fellow service members, and the nation she proudly served. Though her life was cut short, her legacy of honor and sacrifice continues to inspire those who learn her story.

For her outstanding service and devotion to duty, Amy was awarded the Bronze Star, a testament to her commitment and the impact she made during her military career. Her actions and dedication exemplified the courage required of those serving in challenging and dangerous environments far from home.

Every freedom we enjoy today has been protected by brave men and women willing to stand in harm’s way. Staff Sgt. Amy C. Tirador was one of those heroes. Her sacrifice serves as a powerful reminder that freedom is never free and that behind every military mission are individuals who willingly place service above self.

Though years have passed since her final deployment, her memory remains alive in the hearts of those who knew her and in the gratitude of a nation she faithfully served.

Gone, but never forgotten. Rest in peace, Staff Sgt. Amy C. Tirador.
"

07/17/2026

I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it Stands, one Nation under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for ALL

07/11/2026

We are sad to share that the aviation and space world has lost one of its great pioneers. Wally Funk, one of the legendary Mercury 13 and the oldest person to ever fly to space at the time, has died at the age of 87.

Funk's love of flying started early and never faded. By her early twenties she was already a professional pilot, and she went on to log more than 19,600 hours in the air and teach some 3,000 people to fly.

In 1961, she became the youngest member of the Mercury 13, a group of thirteen women who secretly underwent the same grueling astronaut tests as NASA's all-male Mercury 7. Funk excelled. She spent 10 hours and 35 minutes in a sensory-deprivation tank, outlasting John Glenn himself, and outscored many of the men on other tests. But the program was cancelled, and none of the women were allowed to fly. Funk applied to NASA again and again, and was turned away each time.

She never stopped breaking barriers on the ground. She became the first female civilian flight instructor at a US military base, the first female FAA inspector, and the first female air-safety investigator at the National Transportation Safety Board.

And she never stopped dreaming of space. Finally, on July 20, 2021, at the age of 82, Wally Funk climbed aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard and rode a rocket to the edge of space, becoming the oldest person to fly to space at the time, and still the oldest woman ever to do so. Sixty years after she was told no, she made it. When the capsule landed, she stepped out beaming, arms thrown wide.

She was the last surviving member of the Mercury 13, and the only one of the thirteen who ever reached the stars they trained for.

In their tribute, Blue Origin called her "a pioneer in every sense of the word," and signed off with three words that fit her perfectly: "Fly Wally, Fly."

Rest in peace, Wally Funk. You waited a lifetime, and you never gave up.

07/09/2026

First Female F-22 Raptor Pilot Capt. Jammie Jamieson meets WW2 WASP Dorothy Olsen ❤️

In 2008 Captain (later lieutenant colonel) Jammie Jamieson became the first female operational and combat-ready F-22A Raptor pilot. In addition to breaking into one of the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft she was a member of the Air Force Women’s Initiative Team reviewing occupational hazards for pregnant pilots and how to improve female aviator retention rates.

📸 by SSgt. Eric Burks

06/29/2026

The Officer Who Answered Every Call

Jaimie Leonard deployed four times. Bosnia. Iraq. Afghanistan. Afghanistan again. She kept answering the call long after many would have stepped away.

Over a 16-year career in the United States Army, Jaimie Leonard built a reputation for commitment, leadership, and selfless service. As a military intelligence officer, her work rarely made headlines. Intelligence officers operate behind the scenes, analyzing threats, protecting lives, and providing commanders with the information needed to make critical battlefield decisions. Leonard excelled in that role, earning the trust and respect of the soldiers who served beside her.

Her service took her around the world. She deployed to Bosnia in 1999, Iraq in 2005, and twice to Afghanistan. Every deployment meant more time away from home, greater uncertainty, and new sacrifices. Yet she continued volunteering to serve because she believed in the mission and in the soldiers who depended on her.

In 2013, Leonard was serving with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan's Paktika Province. At 39 years old, she was an experienced officer, a mentor, and a respected leader. On June 8, 2013, she was killed while serving alongside her unit during operations near Zarghun Shahr.

Her loss was deeply felt by her family, friends, and fellow soldiers. Following her death, Leonard was posthumously promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, becoming one of the highest-ranking female U.S. service members killed during the Global War on Terrorism. Her distinguished career included three Bronze Star Medals, including one awarded for valor, but those who knew her remembered something even more important—her professionalism, integrity, compassion, and unwavering dedication to those around her.

Before her final deployment, Leonard wrote a Memorial Day column encouraging Americans not only to remember those who served, but to honor their sacrifices through service, responsibility, and commitment to one another. She believed remembrance should inspire action, not simply reflection.

Today, Lieutenant Colonel Jaimie Leonard rests at West Point Cemetery with full military honors. Her legacy lives on through the soldiers she mentored, the lives she touched, and the example she set—a leader who answered every call, a patriot who placed service above self, and an American whose sacrifice deserves to be remembered.

This is a free seminar open to all women Veterans, active duty, Guard and Reserve women. June 12th is Women Veterans Day...
06/03/2026

This is a free seminar open to all women Veterans, active duty, Guard and Reserve women. June 12th is Women Veterans Day so please women Veterans come and celebrate our day and gets lots of great information just for you on Saturday. NO COST to attend, meals furnished. Register today with the QR code or link.

05/26/2026

This Memorial Day, we're honoring the memory of USMC Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice on August 26, 2021, during a su***de bombing at the Kabul’s Airport. She was just 25 years old.

Johanny was screening women and children, helping save lives amidst the chaos of the Afghanistan evacuation. Her final words, “they need me, sir,” as she rushed to aid two Afghan women, echo her selflessness and courage.

Johanny joined the Marines in 2015, serving with the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. Known for her vibrant spirit and dedication, she dreamed of becoming a social worker to protect children.

Let’s remember Johanny’s bravery and the 12 other service members lost that day. May God Bless them all. 🙏🏼🇺🇲

Address

Bossier City, LA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(318) 268-7070

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