#86 - Connecting Rural Veterans to Resources and Support - Michelle Lang

Send us a text In this impactful episode of Passing The Torch, host Martin Foster sits down with Michelle Lang, founder of Operation Honor Rural Salute (OHRS), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting rural and small-town veterans and their families.  Michelle shares her personal journey, including her husband’s challenging transition out of the military and the difficulties they faced finding support in rural Pennsylvania.  This experience, combined with helping their Vietnam veteran neighbor avoid homelessness, catalyzed Michelle’s commitment to closing the resource gap for rural veterans. Key Themes:Rural veterans face unique challenges, including higher suicide rates and fewer accessible services.Operation Honor Rural Salute connects veterans in these areas to life-changing resources and community events.There is a cultural disconnect between older and younger veterans, with many newer veterans reluctant to embrace the “veteran” identity.Michelle’s leadership philosophy: personal self-awareness and serving from one’s strengths lead to a fulfilling life.Transitioning out of the military can be mentally challenging—early and inclusive planning is vital for both service members and their spouses.Michelle’s “pass the torch” wisdom: Find out who you are and how you can serve with what you’re best at. This episode shines a light on an often-overlooked population and underscores the power of community-driven change and empathetic leadership. === Time Codes: 00:00 Mark Harper"s Inspiring Program Introduction 04:34 Barriers to Rural Relocation 06:30 Struggles with Mental Health & Service 10:54 VA Assistance Event Success 13:30 Veteran Culture Across Generations 17:22 Funding Needed for Rural Veterans Initiative 22:03 Homeless Veterans on Base 24:41 "Overcoming Mental Barriers in Leadership" 28:29 "Dream Billboard Message" 32:59 Podcast Guest Introduction 33:57 Understanding Rural Veterans" Experiences Connect with Passing The Torch: Facebook and IG: @torchmartin More Amazing Stories: Episode 41: Lee Ellis – Freeing You From Bond That Make You Insecure Episode 49: Ryan Hawk – Crafting a Legacy of Leadership Episode 52: Riley Tejcek – Mission of Empowerment and Endurance