Press

 Posted: Nov 26, 2020 / 01:15 PM EST 

 SARASOTA – Despite being down on her luck, a single mom and Suncoast veteran feels her purpose is to remind other vets they’re never alone. 

“I grew up wanting to be a nurse,” Stephanie Petersen said, but the universe had other plans for her.

From Okinawa, Japan, to Afghanistan she served two tours for a total of four years. She worked in logistics and as a driver. She left the service to go back to nursing school and says her road back to civilian life has been a bumpy one. 

“It’s been very difficult to transition, and I’ve had three kids in the last five years, and that’s been the most challenging,” Petersen said. 

Her bank account is nearly empty, but her heart is full because of the time she spends at the VFW. She assumed the role of Post Surgeon.

“I’m living fully in my passion because it’s like the veteran and the medical have combined,” Petersen said.

She’s technically homeless right now, staying with a friend. Attorney Carl Reynolds of Carl Reynolds Law heard Stephanie’s story, and thought she could use A Helping Hand.

“You could be caught up in what you’re experiencing and the kids and everything else, and instead, you’re really trying to lose yourself in serving others,” Reynolds said. “Sometimes when we lose ourselves in serving others, we kind of find ourselves, right?”

Petersen says as much as she helps the VFW, it helps her.

“If I’m not here right now, then I probably would not be doing great,” Petersen said.

What she fears most is the isolation her fellow vets will feel if we’re hit with another lockdown.

“There’s a war going on and we’re losing veterans to suicide and substance abuse,” Petersen said.

She went the alternative medicine route with her schooling and plans to start a nonprofit focused on veteran health.

“I went through all that darkness in the trenches, and I’m ready to go back into the trenches and pull them out,” Petersen said.

Petersen has not only started a veteran support group but is adding things like a coffee bar and movie nights to the VFW to boost morale. 

On top of it all, she’s one exam away from being a licensed acupuncturist.

AFGHANISTAN

04.21.2012

Story by Sgt. Michele Hunt

1st Marine Logistics Group

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – In order to effectively complete its mission, the Marine Corps often demands uniformity from its Marines. However, excellence above one’s peers is always recognized.

For those Marines who go above and beyond their expected duties, they are often given an opportunity to go before a board of senior Marines. Marines compete against their peers for recognition, a chance to compete at higher level boards and occasionally the opportunity for a meritorious promotion. To win a board, a Marine must demonstrate exemplary leadership traits and a strong work ethic that surpasses their peers.

Cpl. Chase Ivey, a motor transport mechanic with Combat Logistics Battalion 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), won the 1st MLG (Fwd) Marine of the Quarter board and Cpl. Stephanie Zegar, a maintenance management clerk with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st MLG (Fwd) won the 1st MLG (Fwd) Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter board. Both Marines accomplished this during their deployments to Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Ivey, who won the board as a lance corporal and recently was promoted to the rank of corporal, said his command had a lot to do with his success.

“This has been a great deployment for me because of my leadership,” said Ivey, 20, a native of Reno, Nev. “They gave me the opportunity [to compete on the board] and pushed me to be better than everyone else.”

As a junior Marine, Ivey was put in charge of all incoming and outgoing parts at the CLB-1 maintenance lot aboard Camp Dwyer.

“I enjoy my job because it allows me to see the broader spectrum of maintenance,” said Ivey. “In my opinion, it’s one of the most important jobs in maintenance. We support the readiness of the trucks from order to issue, and it’s my job to ensure the right parts and the right quantities are brought in.”

Ivey’s unit is wrapping up their deployment and preparing to go home. Ivey said he looks forward to getting back to his wife and 7-month old son who was born just before Ivey left for Afghanistan.

For Zegar, her successful board was motivation to continue her hard work.

“Winning NCO of the Quarter makes me want to strive to reach an even higher level of achievement,” said Zegar, 22, a native of Sarasota, Fla. “It increases my level of accomplishment to know that the [MLG] recognizes the efforts I have put into my battalion.”

Stationed in Okinawa, Japan, Zegar volunteers with the Single Marine Program when not deployed.

“I look forward to getting back to [Okinawa] and keeping Marines involved in the [Japanese] culture and activities through the SMP to raise morale,” said Zegar.

Zegar extended her contract to deploy to Afghanistan a second time with her unit.

“I feel very lucky to be in Afghanistan and to serve my country again,” said Zegar. “I feel like I have more knowledge this deployment, and I am grateful to have a great team with me. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”