Military REBOOT’s New Women-Only Course

A Path to Healing: Military REBOOT’s New Women-Only Course

Big Rapids, MI — On September 15, 2025, the Big Rapids community will launch a powerful new resource: the 12-week, women-only Military REBOOT trauma recovery course. This faith-based and peer-led program is designed for female veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, and their families, offering a safe place to begin healing from trauma.

What Makes It Unique

Unlike traditional support groups, the program is peer-led by women with firsthand experience, ensuring an atmosphere of trust, confidentiality, and empathy. Organizers emphasize that “words don’t leave this area,” creating a safe environment where participants can process their journeys openly.

Military REBOOT has proven results nationwide. Participants often report stronger relationships, decreased reliance on medication, and lower rates of depression and suicide. The course is open not only to service members themselves but also to their spouses and families—recognizing that trauma affects everyone in the home.

Why It Matters

Women now make up the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. veteran population, yet they face unique challenges, including higher rates of PTSD. Programs like this one provide a much-needed space where women can process trauma in a supportive community tailored to their experiences.

By combining peer support with faith-based teaching, REBOOT addresses the mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of recovery. With over 25,000 graduates nationwide, it has helped thousands of service members and first responders rediscover purpose and resilience.

How to Join

Classes will meet weekly from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 430 N. Third Ave., Big Rapids. New participants are welcome through the third week of the course.

Anyone interested can register or learn more at RebootRecovery.com/join.

A Beacon of Hope

For many women in uniform, the path to recovery can feel lonely. This new REBOOT course is more than just a class—it’s a community, a place of trust, and a step toward renewed strength and peace.

The Last Ace of World War II: Donald McPherson

Donald McPherson: The Last Ace of World War II

The passing of Donald Melvin McPherson in August 2025 closed a chapter of history. At 103 years old, McPherson was the last surviving American “ace” fighter pilot of World War II, a distinction given to aviators who downed five or more enemy aircraft in combat. His life, however, was not only defined by the dramatic dogfights of the Pacific theater but also by the quiet decades of service, humility, and community leadership that followed.

Born on May 25, 1922, in the small town of Adams, Nebraska, McPherson grew up far from the battlefields where he would one day make his mark. Like many of his generation, his life was transformed by the Second World War. In 1943, he joined the U.S. Navy through the V-5 Aviation Cadet Program, a path usually reserved for men with college experience. The Navy, in need of pilots, waived that requirement, giving McPherson his chance. After rigorous training at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, he earned his wings and was commissioned as an ensign in 1944.

Assigned to Fighter Squadron VF-83 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex, McPherson flew the Grumman F6F Hellcat, the workhorse of the Navy’s Pacific campaign. In the skies over Okinawa and other contested islands, he proved his skill and courage. He achieved ace status by downing five Japanese aircraft, a feat that placed him among the elite ranks of combat aviators. For his service, McPherson received three Distinguished Flying Crosses, multiple Air Medals, and, many years later, the Congressional Gold Medal awarded collectively to surviving World War II aces.

But McPherson’s story did not end with military glory. After the war, he returned home to Adams, where he married his sweetheart, Thelma Johnston, and raised three children. He chose a quiet, steady life: farming the land, carrying the rural mail, coaching youth sports, and serving as a Scoutmaster. He was deeply involved in his church, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In recognition of the McPherson family’s devotion to their community, the local ball field was named “McPherson Field” in their honor. To those who knew him best, his faith, kindness, and service mattered far more than his wartime accolades.

Even in his later years, McPherson remained connected to his past. In 2024, at the age of 102, he once again sat in the cockpit of a restored Hellcat, reliving the experience that had defined his youth. Less than a year later, on August 14, 2025, he passed away peacefully in his hometown. His death marked the end of an era: the last living link to America’s World War II fighter aces was gone.

Donald McPherson’s legacy is twofold. In the skies, he embodied the bravery and skill that helped secure victory in the Pacific. On the ground, he lived a life of humility and service, showing that true heroism extends beyond the battlefield. His story reminds us that while history often remembers men for their wartime achievements, their deepest impact may be found in the lives they touch long after the fighting ends.

Top 10 Military Related News Stories for This Week

 

Here are the top 10 military-related news stories from this week

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1. Massive Russian missile and drone strike on Ukraine; Poland scrambles jets

Russia launched one of its largest attacks of the year on Ukraine—574 drones and 40 missiles targeted western regions, destroying a U.S.-owned factory and causing casualties. Poland scrambled jets in response.New York PostSky News

2. U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff forced into early retirement

General David Allvin will retire by November after being ousted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, amid a sweeping purge of top military leaders under Trump’s administration.The Daily Beast

3. Russian “top sniper” exposed in compensation fraud scandal

Lieutenant Colonel Konstantin Frolov—once celebrated in Russian media—has been accused of faking battlefield wounds to claim £1.7 million in compensation, medals, and recognition.The Sun

4. U.S. and European military finalize Ukraine security options

Senior U.S. and European military officials have agreed on military options to guarantee Ukrainian security—these options are expected to be discussed among national security advisers.UNITED24 Media

5. Navy pilot rescued after $67 million fighter jet crash

A Navy pilot ejected safely from an F/A-18E Super Hornet that crashed into the ocean during a training exercise off the Virginia coast. The incident marks the sixth high-cost loss of a military jet this year.New York Post

6. U.S. Army launches advanced drone warfare operator course

The Army introduced its first official drone operator course at Fort Rucker to train soldiers in advanced drone tactics, flying systems, and 3D printing technologies.Task & Purpose

7. NATO “coalition of the willing” develops security framework for Ukraine

Top NATO and U.S. military leaders began formulating a security framework to guarantee Ukraine’s safety, while Russia criticized the talks and continues military aggression across Ukraine.The Guardian

8. North Korea’s senior military officers abruptly recalled from Russia

North Korea recalled top commanders from Russia’s Kursk region, signaling Russia’s growing confidence in its control of the region and potential easing of North Korea’s direct combat role.The Wall Street Journal

9. Trump revokes security clearances of 37 national security officials

The administration announced it would strip 37 current and former national security officials of their clearances—continuing a contentious tactic in U.S. politics.Military.com

10. Turkey and Syria coordinate to train new Syrian army

Military officials from Türkiye and Syria have begun preparations to train a new Syrian army under a bilateral agreement.Hürriyet Daily News

Top Military News for the Week August 15, 2025

 10 top U.S. military-related news stories (as of August 2025) that are particularly relevant to service members, spanning legal, operational, strategic, and human-interest aspects:

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1. Domestic Troop Deployment & Posse Comitatus Lawsuit

A trial in California is probing whether the deployment of National Guard troops and active-duty Marines to Los Angeles violated the centuries-old Posse Comitatus Act, which limits military involvement in civilian law enforcement. The outcome could significantly redefine presidential authority over domestic troop use.(Reuters)

2. Broad Implications for Future Presidential Power

A related AP exploration details how such actions—deploying troops to places like D.C. and L.A.—are testing the fragile boundaries of U.S. law regarding military domestic roles, setting a legal precedent with potential long-term implications.(AP News)

3. Revitalizing the Defense Industrial Base

The Washington Post warns of a deteriorating U.S. defense production capability—citing depleted ammunition stocks, delays in tank refurbishments, and a lack of industrial agility. The piece advocates for leadership akin to WWII mobilizer William Knudsen to drive a defense industry renaissance.(The Washington Post)

4. Trump–Putin Summit at an Alaskan Military Base

A high-stakes summit between Presidents Trump and Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, carries major global and military implications—especially regarding U.S. positioning on the Ukraine conflict and its relationship with NATO.(AP News)

5. Military Action Against Drug Cartels Under Consideration

The Trump administration is evaluating military responses—such as drone or missile strikes—to target Mexican drug cartels (designated as terrorist groups), while avoiding troop incursions into Mexico. This raises legal and diplomatic concerns.(The Washington Post)

6. Reporting Confusion in Guard/Reserve Duty Codes

A new study reveals that the vast array of duty codes used for National Guard and reserve members is unnecessarily complex, causing confusion and inefficiency for both personnel and taxpayers. Authorities recommend consolidating these codes.(Stars and Stripes)

7. Special Forces Scandal Exposed in New Book

A controversial book, The Fort Bragg Cartel, alleges troubling misconduct—including drug trafficking and murder—by members of U.S. Special Forces. The revelations come amid broader discussions on the use of special operations against cartels.(Democracy Now!)

8. Political Influence in the Pentagon

Reports suggest that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is pushing a form of Christian nationalism within the Pentagon, causing internal friction and raising questions about religious influence in military leadership spheres.(The Guardian)

9. Federal Takeover of D.C. Policing

The Trump administration has temporarily assumed control over policing in Washington, D.C., deploying National Guard soldiers and federal agents to assist with monument security, traffic operations, and drug enforcement.(AP News)

10. Tragedy at Fort Stewart

A former U.S. soldier and his wife have been charged with the grim homicide of their child due to starvation while stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia. The heartbreaking case has drawn attention to issues facing military families and base communities.(People.com)