Every generation has one defining moment. For mine, it was 9/11. I still remember standing aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt as the attacks unfolded — and the way our country pulled together in the days that followed.

But over the years, that unity faded, leaving too many veterans isolated. Isolation isn't just lonely — it's dangerous. Rural veterans die by suicide at higher rates than their urban peers, and one of the strongest protective factors isn't a program or a prescription. It's connection.

In this episode, I talk about the cost of isolation, why connection is so hard, and how rural communities like Floyd are proving that it is possible to bridge the gap between the 1% who served and the 99% who didn't.

Mountain Valor Fest is part of that solution. On Saturday, September 13th at Crooked Mountain Campground in Floyd, we'll gather for music, food, kids' activities, and a 4 p.m. Remembrance Ceremony honoring those lost on 9/11 and in the wars that followed. More than an event, MVF has already broken the mold and shown that rural communities can lead the way in reducing veteran isolation — and with continued community support, we can expand this model across Virginia in the years ahead.

Sponsors This episode is made possible thanks to the support of our community partners:

• BAE Systems

• Angels in the Attic

• Firebrand Media

• Finn Graphics

• Wild Roots Consulting

Your support helps us continue this mission — one connection at a time.