The Huffington Post

This slip of paper and my military ID are necessary to obtain the medications that have become necessary to me since coming home. It wasn’t always like this. My day once started at 5 a.m. When I was in Iraq, it started at 2:30 a.m. — and even earlier if the air raid sirens went off. Often the first one into the office, I would go through emails and review the commander’s schedule. I proudly had many responsibilities and others looked to me for guidance and leadership.

—Mary Gallagher: Recovering From My Service to Our Nation