Olivia Chavez-Carroll
Olivia Chavez-Carroll served her Country for 22 years as a combat pilot for the US Army and Marine Corps. During my time in the Army, I flew a Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan for the 101st Airborne Division out of SC. In these 22 years, it was hard to stay in contact with my family. They were not allowed to receive any information about my activities and missions. From the moment I was deployed until after I became a veteran, I experienced how disconnected I became with my family and friends. Every day, 22 veterans commit suicide because they cannot connect with regular society anymore. I am raising veteran suicide awareness through seminars, conferences, and programs for family and friends of veterans. Family and friends are the most important people to help veterans through difficult times. If they understand the stress veterans experience from war incidents and adjusting to society, they can offer more support. Olivia is a wife mother, and advocate for The Atomic Veterans.