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About The Author
Mel Costa is a OIF Veteran serving in both the Marine Corps and Army Reserves. As a veteran of the Iraq War, Mel’s experiences impacted her reintegration to civilian life and as a result, her demons affected every part of her life. The passages you may read in this book will describe some of these moments. After much intense therapy and years of ups and downs, Mel finally acknowledged the strides she was making toward a healthy, loving and fruitful life. When Mel met her future Service Dog, Steamboat Willie, she knew he would become her loveable and comforting sidekick. Because of her service at the Providence, VA Medical Center in Providence, Rhode Island, as a Lead Certified Peer Specialist, she was honored by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as the 2025 VHA National Peer Specialist of the Year. Willie and Mel have already made their mark in the PTSD community, as welcoming shouts of “Willie” and his loving hugs of calm and care are eagerly awaited. Mel is a published nature photographer as well as a published poet.
My Path
by Mel Costa
Veterans who are trying to find their way, I dedicate this book to you. The motivation has always been for you to find a bit of hope, determination or peace in one of my poems.
