From Service to Legacy: How One Veteran Honors Heroes and Inspires Hope
At Til Valhalla Project, we are committed to Honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and supporting Veterans who continue to face their battles. We recently had the privilege of speaking with Amanda Flores, a disabled Air Force Veteran, longtime T.V.P. supporter, and Legacy Guardian. Amanda shared her deeply personal story about her time in service, her connection to our mission, and how being part of the T.V.P. community has helped her on her journey of healing.
A Legacy Guardian is a dedicated supporter of the Til Valhalla Project who takes on the Honorable responsibility of personally delivering memorial plaques to the families of Fallen Heroes. These individuals not only represent the heart of our mission by ensuring these plaques are delivered with respect and empathy but also offer comfort to the grieving families.
By stepping into this role, Legacy Guardians help keep the memory of our Heroes alive, providing a meaningful tribute to their sacrifice while creating a personal connection with the families they serve.
Serving Our Country with Strength and Resilience
Amanda's decision to join the military was deeply rooted in family and patriotism. She recalls, "My decision to join the military was a calculated maneuver after getting accepted into my dream college and not being able to afford the tuition." Rather than take on a mountain of debt, Amanda chose to enlist, following the legacy of service left by the previous two generations of her family. Her military career spanned eight years in the U.S. Air Force, where she served with pride.
Her most memorable experience during that time was witnessing the events of 9/11 unfold. "Watching our service members from all branches pull together to take action and defend our freedom is something I hold dear to me." This sense of unity and collective strength is something Amanda carries with her to this day.
"Watching our service members from all branches pull together to take action and defend our freedom is something I hold dear to me."
The Meaning Behind Til Valhalla Project
For Amanda, Til Valhalla Project's mission is personal. "How do you ever truly express the gratitude of a person sacrificing their life for yours? You can't in my eyes. But you can take up the charge of remembering them, saying their name, connecting to their family, and passing the legacy on." This profound understanding of the importance of Honoring our Fallen Heroes is what initially drew Amanda to T.V.P., particularly our campaigns focused on Veteran suicide awareness.
"Integrity is huge with me, and when I saw that Korey and his team meant business, I knew I could get behind them," she adds. T.V.P. has given Amanda a way to stay connected to the Veteran community, fulfilling the oath she took when she enlisted.
"Integrity is huge with me, and when I saw that Korey and his team meant business, I knew I could get behind them."
Becoming a Legacy Guardian: A Life Changing Experience
Recently, Amanda served as a Legacy Guardian, an experience that left a lasting impact. "Having the Honor of being a Legacy Guardian is something I will cherish and remember for the rest of my days. I was incredibly nervous and yet keenly aware of everything I needed to do."
Though she didn’t know the Fallen Hero personally, she knew his father, who had previously spoken to her about Veteran suicide prevention. "Their son deserved to be nominated and Honored, and it was a distinct Honor to be the Legacy Guardian that delivered to them. I will never forget the sobs or how quiet it got in the room."
Being part of such a deeply emotional moment left Amanda both humbled and proud. "No one had done anything like that for them until T.V.P.," she reflects. "I felt proud to be there and to represent such a great organization; recognizing a service member."
Mental Health: A Constant Battle
As a disabled Veteran, Amanda knows firsthand the importance of maintaining mental health. "I personally feel that being active is one of the best ways to maintain your mental health, especially when you are a disabled Veteran." For Amanda, going to the gym is her way of drowning out the noise and finding clarity. She also stresses the importance of discussing mental health with friends and family to ensure they understand and can provide support.
Her advice to other Veterans struggling with mental health is simple but crucial: "Seek help in whatever way you feel comfortable." She advocates strongly for addressing mental health issues within the Veteran community to ensure a prosperous and impactful postservice life.
Mental Health and Personal Growth
As a disabled veteran, maintaining mental health can be challenging, especially for women veterans who are often overlooked or whose experiences aren’t fully understood by the mental health and veteran support communities. Amanda shared a powerful insight into her struggles seeking help:
"Up until recently, there hasn’t been a great focus on women’s response to serving in the military during war campaigns. When I left the service in 2005, there was not a strong response to anxiety, depression, or PTSD related to war because women weren’t serving in combat roles. I sought assistance, but my mental health conditions like anxiety and PTSD weren’t fully acknowledged because they didn’t see me as having experienced the trauma of combat.”
Amanda also highlighted how her work in a non-combat but high-stakes role affected her deeply, though it wasn't fully recognized:
“I was in charge of things that had life-or-death consequences. The mental health community, and the military at large, didn’t fully account for how that affects women, especially those with families. It molded my life in a way that has forever changed me. Women veterans need the same opportunity to seek services, to heal without fear of reprisal, and to have their experiences validated."
Amanda’s experience underscores the need for greater recognition of the unique struggles women veterans face, particularly those who served in non-combat yet equally intense and vital roles. Her determination to advocate for better support systems for women veterans is both inspiring and a call to action for others in the veteran community.
The Power of T.V.P. in Healing
T.V.P. has been a key part of Amanda's personal journey of healing. "T.V.P. helps me heal because I have Honor in being part of this mission," she explains. For Amanda, wearing T.V.P. gear is more than just supporting the mission, it's a source of pride. "When I wear T.V.P. gear, it’s almost as if I’m wearing a uniform. I want people to know that I am part of T.V.P. and I represent a great organization that does so much."
Honoring Our Fallen Heroes
To Amanda, Honoring our Fallen Heroes is a "small token of appreciation for something that can never be repaid." She has personally known Gold Star families and families who have lost loved ones to Veteran suicide, and she can't emphasize enough the importance of remembering and Honoring their sacrifice.
Finding Strength in Service
When asked what keeps her going through difficult times, Amanda reflects on the importance of hope and making a difference. "If I can reach one person, a Veteran, a family member, or even just someone on the street, and they see a message of hope or encouragement, then I’ve done my job."
Her mantra: "Don't stop, don't quit." guides her through even the toughest days, reminding her to keep going and continue serving her community.
Looking to the Future
Amanda’s future is focused on empowering others, particularly women Veterans. She is currently studying to become a certified personal trainer with a focus on life coaching for women Veterans. "My goals are to highlight services uniquely related to women and their mental health challenges. I would love to catapult female Veteran mental health challenges to the forefront of awareness."
As a supporter of T.V.P., Amanda is committed to continuing her work as a Legacy Guardian and raising awareness for Veterans' mental health.
Join the Mission
Amanda’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of Honoring our Fallen Heroes and supporting our Veterans. At Til Valhalla Project, we believe that every Hero deserves to be remembered, and every Veteran deserves our support.
We encourage you to join our mission by becoming a Legacy Guardian, just like Amanda, and help us continue to make a difference in the lives of those who have served our country. Together, we can ensure that their legacy lives on.
Support the Mission
Thank you, Amanda, and to all the Veterans who have dedicated their lives to serving our nation. We are Honored to stand with you.
Become a Legacy Guardian today and help us Honor the legacies of our nation's Heroes.