Each book and resource is carefully chosen. The selection includes veteran and first responder stories, experiential, and scientific evidence-based information that tells the truth about trauma, survival, service, and the stubborn human capacity to keep going.
Viktor E. Frankl
The foundational text of logotherapy — Frankl's account of surviving the Holocaust and discovering that meaning, not pleasure or power, is the primary human motivation. One of the most influential books of the 20th century.
Bessel van der Kolk, MD
A landmark work on trauma and the body — how traumatic experiences reshape the brain, mind, and body, and the innovative treatments that can help survivors reclaim their lives.
Steven M. Southwick & Dennis S. Charney
A rigorous and readable exploration of resilience — drawing on interviews with Vietnam POWs, Special Forces instructors, and trauma survivors to identify the key factors that help people bounce back from adversity.
Steven M. Southwick & Dennis S. Charney
The updated second edition — expanded with new research on resilience factors including optimism, social support, spirituality, and cognitive flexibility. Essential reading for anyone working in trauma recovery.
Milton A. Toratti
A tribute to the men and women who served — Toratti's meticulous documentation of veteran stories preserves voices that might otherwise be lost, honoring service across generations.
Milton A. Toratti
Toratti's account of the search for closure after 9/11 — a deeply personal and historically grounded work that honors the first responders and families who carried the weight of that day.
Ron Farina
A Vietnam veteran's memoir of faith, survival, and the long road home — written with the honesty and grace of someone who has truly wrestled with what war leaves behind.
Daniel M. Eddinger
A Vietnam veteran's story told with unflinching honesty — the combat, the homecoming, and the decades of living with what war does to a man. Eddinger earned the Purple Heart twice and the Silver Star.
Milton A. Toratti
The untold story of soldiers who served in secret — abandoned by the system that sent them, but never forgotten by those who knew them. Toratti brings the same meticulous care and deep respect for service that defines his work preserving veteran voices.
Dr. Matthew Kelsey, Psy.D.
A psychologist and veteran's guide to healing the invisible wounds of war — written for veterans, families, and clinicians navigating the long aftermath of combat trauma.
Milton A. Toratti
The concluding volume in Toratti's trilogy honoring those who gave everything in service — a testament to sacrifice, memory, and the duty of the living to remember.
A curated collection on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website dedicated to books written by women veterans — stories of service, resilience, and life after the military.
Organizations offering real community, peer support, and resources for those navigating grief and loss.
A practical SAMHSA guide on supporting people through grief and loss — covering what grief looks like, how to help someone who is grieving, and when to seek professional care. Download and keep it.
Download PDFA national nonprofit empowering widows to move from surviving to thriving — through community, education, and peer support. Offers local chapters, online groups, and resources for women navigating life after loss.
Visit websiteReal Resources · Veteran-Managed
A resource page built by and for Connecticut veterans — maintained by the community it serves.
A comprehensive guide to resources for Connecticut veterans — covering services, support organizations, events, and community connections across the state.
Real Resources · Government & Federal
Official government resources available to veterans and their families.
The official VA website — your gateway to VA health care, benefits, mental health services, disability compensation, education, housing assistance, and more. Everything the VA offers is here.
The VA's dedicated resource for women veterans — covering health care services, mental health support, military sexual trauma resources, maternity care, and more tailored to women's needs.
