There is this crazy thing that Generation X did...🤣

Some days I resent being ethical. Watching nonprofits and NGOs bend rules or commit fraud while I stress over my own finances is a masterclass in misplaced incentives. There are days I think I should’ve skipped “doing good” and just started a cult. Clearly, that’s where the

“Just write your representative” sounds free. Until you factor in: $417 in postage to mail Congress $2,000+ to travel for hearings Hours of unpaid research & drafting Grassroots advocacy isn’t free. 👉 free-range-advocate.com/blog/the-hidde…

Military Surviving Spouses needs shouldn’t be an afterthought in policy. Representation changes systems—not just narratives. free-range-advocate.com/blog/survivor-…

The Texas Veterans Commission is a powerful engine for veteran support at the state level — but many people don’t really know what it does. Get the basics and why they matter. free-range-advocate.com/blog/state-vet…

Bipartisan moment on Capitol Hill: Survivors shouldn’t have to choose between remarriage and earned benefits. ALS timelines shouldn’t block families from support. VA transparency shouldn’t be optional. Message from Congress + VSOs was loud and clear: Benefits are promises, not

Surviving spouses aren’t “afterthoughts” — they’re lifelong members of the military community. Without a seat at the table, charities unintentionally miss policy gaps and long-term needs. We need survivors shaping programs — not just benefiting from them. Read more:

We need a real Survivor Advocate in every org serving the military community — not for sympathy, but for systems that actually work. This role ensures policies, benefits, and support structures include surviving spouses from the start — long before crisis hits. Because service

Is one kind of service-connected death considered more “honorable” than another? It shouldn’t be. A new piece explores why illness, toxic exposure, and delayed losses deserve the same recognition as battlefield deaths. free-range-advocate.com/blog/which-dea…

Cancer wasn’t the whole story. Exposure. Missed follow-up. System failures. “Jay Didn’t Just Get Cancer” explains why advocacy for military families is still urgent. free-range-advocate.com/blog/jay-didnt…

New on Free-Range Advocate: “The Numbers Behind the Silence.” A data-driven look at the 2025 Veteran Suicide Prevention Report, what’s improving, and where risk remains highest. Veteran suicide is not one issue. It’s a systems issue. Read here: free-range-advocate.com/blog/the-numbe…

A real-world example of survivor inequity: Veteran retreats: free Surviving mothers: $50 Surviving spouses: $100 Spouses often lose household income and become sole providers. Yet they pay more for “healing.” This is not equity. It is inverted hardship. More at: 🔗

Advocacy isn’t just noble. It’s expensive. Time, travel, childcare, tools, emotional bandwidth — someone pays. Too often that someone is the advocate. Advocacy Takes Time, Money, and Stability. Read more free-range-advocate.com/blog/advocacy-…

Veterans and survivors don’t need soundbites — they need results. Hearings should stay on topic, respect committee scope, and put policy over politics. Read the full piece here: free-range-advocate.com/blog/oversight…

Advocacy isn’t equally accessible. Who gets locked out? • Surviving spouses rebuilding on one income • Caregivers without paid leave • Workers who can’t miss a shift • Families choosing rent over representation The people closest to policy consequences are often the least

Tip for advocates: learn the habitat first. 🐿️ New blog breaks down the Congress ecosystem so your ask lands the right way. free-range-advocate.com/blog/a-field-g…

If a budget “saves money” but quietly transfers the cost to caregivers, surviving spouses, and veterans… was money actually saved? Or was the bill just rerouted? New blog: free-range-advocate.com/blog/the-budge…

VA has halted enforcement of the “Impact of Medication” disability rating rule after major backlash. The concern: veterans shouldn’t risk lower ratings simply for following treatment. Disability ratings affect compensation, healthcare, caregivers, and survivor benefits. This