When Donna Crenshaw reflects on Veterans Day each year, she honors not only the brave men and women who serve, but also the military family members who make an enormous sacrifice.
As the daughter and mother of veterans with dramatically different experiences, she offers a unique perspective of the observance.
“Veterans Day reminds me that freedom isn’t free or easy to maintain,” Donna shares. “Our military and military families put everything on the line for the love of our country and we need to be thankful for their sacrifice and service.”
Donna has long been connected with the military. Currently a practice manager in our Cincinnati market, she previously worked as a recruiter for the Department of Defense, as well as the Office of the Treasury.
Additionally, Donna’s dad was a Marine in WWII and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and her mom was one of the first women to enlist in WWII. She started as an aerial photographer but couldn’t get over being airsick and completed her tour taking photographs for the USO/Bob Hope Tours.
As for Donna’s son, John, his service was a different story as far as being in harm’s way. John was a Combat Engineer whose mission as a driver was performing route clearance. He was stationed in Ramadi, Iraq in 2006 and Fallujah, Iraq in 2008, where he was injured. John is now a fully disabled veteran with traumatic brain injury, spinal fractures and stenosis and post- traumatic stress syndrome.
The phrase “All gave some, some gave all” is commonly heard around Memorial Day, but always hits home with Donna. She has always respected the sacrifices of those in the military and their families. That inspired her to start a nonprofit service for military families when John was deployed.
Donna started the nonprofit BOOTS (Benevolent Order of Those Serving) with a Marine who she met when he returned from his first deployment to the Middle East.
“For several years to follow, he and my oldest son, John, seemed to be on opposite deployment schedules,” she says. “When one was home, the other was gone. It became very clear to us that there were family needs not being met for those left behind during a loved one’s deployment.”
Donna utilized her background as a federal recruiter, and began recruiting volunteers to help with car repair, lawn maintenance, painting, childcare, emergency plumbing repair and other services. She also had connections with the Veterans Administration and other channels to help locate those who might be in need.
“To military families, thank you, thank you, thank you for your sacrifice and service,” Donna expresses. “To, employers, thank you for policies that allow leave so our military can continue to train.”
And to others, Donna urges patience with those returning from deployment and to show gratitude to them for their service.
“They are all heroes,” she says. “If you want to see a face light up, thank someone wearing a military hat for their service!”
Thank you to Donna as well as all our other veteran team members for your service to our country. Read more stories about our veteran team members.
Also, learn more about the primary care services we provide at Mercy Health.
