Honoring Those Who Keep Us Safe

Reflection and Community on Veterans Day

Today, LifeRing Secular Recovery honors veterans across the country—from those who served in the Korean War to service members involved in the current global conflict in Iran. We recognize every individual who has dedicated their time, strength, and life to keeping us safe and free.

Currently, around 3 million active service members are stationed across 180 countries. Over 15.7 million Americans identify as veterans, with half of that population aged 65 or older. Behind every one of these numbers is a unique story of sacrifice, resilience, and transition back to civilian life.

Personal Reflections on Service and Freedom

My father served in World War II. While he rarely spoke about his time in service, his Navy portrait always hung proudly among our family photos. Looking at that photo growing up inspired a deep sense of patriotism and respect within me. Over the years, I’ve often reflected on how we, as individuals and as a community, can actively contribute to freedom and safety in our everyday lives.

That thought repeatedly brings me back to LifeRing meetings.

In our meetings, people come together from vastly different backgrounds, geographic locations, lifestyles, and belief systems. Yet, despite those differences, we share a unified purpose: supporting one another on the journey of recovery.

Facilitating a non-judgmental, respectful space where every voice can be heard is its own form of protecting personal freedom. When we create a safe harbor for people to share their truths openly, we strengthen the fabric of our entire community.

Paying Homage Through Support

Wars often stem from regional conflicts that diplomacy could not resolve. Regardless of your personal perspective on military conflict, Veterans Day reminds us to honor the real people—those who gave their time, energy, mental well-being, and sometimes their lives in defense of freedom.

For many veterans, the transition home brings challenges, including navigating trauma, mental health, and substance use recovery. One of the best ways we can honor our service members is by ensuring they have direct access to secular, compassionate, and supportive recovery resources tailored to their experience.

Building a network through support groups and community events can significantly alleviate feelings of isolation and help dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use.

Join a LifeRing Veterans Meeting

LifeRing Secular Recovery offers specialized, secular peer support meetings for Veterans and active personnel, creating a safe, judgment-free space focused on empowerment and self-direction. By cultivating connection and dismantling the isolation caused by stigma, a holistic model that includes peer support is the key to equipping Veterans with the tools and community they need to successfully take charge of their recovery journey.

Veteran-Specific Focus Meetings: LifeRing offers specialized meetings for Veterans, active personnel, and allies, creating a safe space for those with similar living experiences.
Examples include:

• • Wednesday Warriors | Wednesdays at 6:00 am Pacific
  • Veterans and Friends | Thursdays at 4:00 pm Pacific

Trauma Support Meetings:  In addition, LifeRing offers meetings tailored for individuals seeking support in recovery from trauma. These meetings provide a safe, peer-driven space for participants to address the role of past trauma in their lives and recovery journeys, alongside substance use disorder (SUD) or other co-occurring challenges.
Examples include:

• • Trauma Recovery | Sundays at 7:00 am Pacific
  • Surviving Our Truth | Mondays at 10:30 am Pacific
  • Trauma Recovery | Saturdays at 6:00 am Pacific
  • Mosaic | Saturdays at 4:00 pm Pacific

Empowerment Focus: LifeRing emphasizes personal empowerment, equipping individuals with essential tools and strategies to take charge of their recovery journeys. This is the core of all LifeRing meetings and recovery support resources.

LifeRing Support Resources

To join a focus meeting (including Veterans in Recovery and Trauma Support meetings) or access LifeRing recovery resources, please visit the LifeRing Recovery Communities webpage.

You can help LifeRing provide peer-to-peer support resources for Veterans, Active Personnel, and Allies
with your one-time or monthly donations.

Thank you!