Nov 4, 2009 11:15 pm US/Eastern
Female Iraq Vet Aims To Make Coming Home Easier
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Michelle Wilmot in Iraq
WBZ
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Michelle Wilmot in Iraq
WBZ
During her deployment in Iraq, Michelle Wilmot saw the horrors of war, but she also helped share history as one of the first members of Team Lioness – a group of female soldiers who worked with Marines in Iraq to search women and children for explosives.
"At first, people might come up to you and be expected to be greeted formally, but as soon as you say, 'Hi. How are you?' (In Arabic) That can change someone's perspective. They change as soon as you speak Arabic."
Michelle, who speaks seven languages, believes she was able to change many Iraqi's attitudes toward Americans. And now she wants to change American's attitudes toward veterans.
"I want to make sure that reintegration doesn't happen to anyone else."
Michelle says she's felt unwelcomed back at college and had a tough time getting services from the VA when she got home. "I had a rough time. I wish I had someone there to stand with me and say people may not accept what you did, or may judge you for it, but what you're doing still matters."
Michelle now works as an advocate for veterans, and she says she wants to improve the way here in the United States we welcome our veterans home. "I want to make sure they get the care they deserve and I want to make sure they are valued, they feel valued. They are still warriors not matter what. I don't want anyone to feel victimized, ever."
Michelle is also working on a book about her experience in Iraq and her work to help veterans here in Massachusetts.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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