Self-described “military brat” Yolanda Eddings, from Colorado Springs, Colorado, knew from a young age that she wanted to join the armed services. She enlisted in 2007, following in her father’s footsteps after growing up seeing his career in the Army.
Eddings’ military career spanned nine years. She was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and stationed between Fort Riley, Kansas, Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, and Wiesbaden, Germany.
No matter where service led her, Eddings was often looking after others. She served as a Human Resources Specialist and later worked at a NATO Role III Hospital. These roles gave her the opportunity to care for civilians and soldiers.
Eddings, a wife and mother of three, knew she wanted to continue helping others once her military career ended. She learned of the VFW's "Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship" from a fellow veteran and is incredibly grateful it’s now helping her pursue her goals.
“I would like to thank all those who put this scholarship together to give us veterans hope,” Eddings said. “I would sometimes feel as if civilians didn’t like or understand veterans, and this has allowed me to see more of the good in others.”
Today, at age 42, Eddings is working toward an Education Certificate in Deaf Education at Baylor University. One day, she hopes to have her own elementary school classroom as a Deaf Education teacher where she can continue doing what she loves.
“I enjoy working with kids and helping them master and overcome obstacles such as not understanding a problem or dealing with the stresses of school,” said Eddings. “I want them to know I am here for them and my ears are always open as well as my door, and they can trust and tell me anything.”
Staying connected with fellow veterans is also important to Eddings. Eventually, she hopes to develop a network for regular get-togethers so veterans can support each other as they did while active in the military. She hopes she can inspire more service members to find the help they need to move forward in life.
“Never give up on your dreams,” Eddings said. “Just like you made it in the military, through rigorous training and sleepless nights, you can do anything you put your mind to. It may take some time, but keep on pushing. You got this!”