MUSKEGON, Mich. — The air on the top floor of the USS Silversides Submarine Museum was full of the smell of fresh food and the joy that comes with camaraderie on Thursday night as WINC For All Women Veterans held its annual "In Her Honor" event.
"This program right here elevates, motivates, cultivates, and really helps veterans out of their shell. We give resources. We give conversations. We have mentorship. Anything that you need," said Army veteran Jill Renee Mathews-Mattox.
"But the thing that we most want women veterans and all veterans to understand is that there's an understanding for hope, encouragement, quality of life and understanding that no matter where you came from or any experience that you have, positive or negative, we are here to help. This represents veterans getting together and helping their growth."
The event included a panel of women veterans telling their stories of triumph and resilience.
"This group, they have broken down so many barriers and through that glass ceiling and they continue to do so. I think that they continue to take a stand and remind people that they're just like anybody else who feels that they should be serving their country, and want to be a part of that. They have provided a service to our country too," said Bethann Egan who serves as the executive director of the museum.
Leaders from WINC and the museum say donations and community volunteers make it possible to do more events and other programming like this in the future.
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