Retired Marine Bambi Jo Bullard speaks to veterans in Aiken

ERIN WEEKS, Aiken Standard, S.C.
·2 min read

Jun. 11—Women veterans had the opportunity to learn about the various resources available to them during a presentation at Cornerstone Baptist Church on Saturday.

Bambi Jo Bullard, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, spoke during the event.

The event was hosted and sponsored by the Trenton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Attendees heard stories about Bullard's life and her struggles, including her difficulties with medical issues and facing mistreatment as a patient at a VA hospital.

Susan Faulkner, a member of the Trenton Chapter of the DAR, spoke about Bullard and her life.

"Having a leg that was compound fractured in multiple areas, she (Bullard) overheard the surgeon tell a nurse to park her for a few days and that he would be back after the Christmas party and ski trip," said Faulkner.

After a botched surgery, Bullard even woke up to find herself recovering inside a janitor's closet.

Faulkner noted that veteran healthcare, while already poor, is especially unsatisfactory for women.

"The hard truth is that our veteran's health care is not really that good anyway, but a woman veteran is an invisible veteran and is easily ignored," said Faulkner.

Bullard was a drill instructor for two tours, and as the assistant secretary of the Navy at the Pentagon, she is currently building a retreat area that will be used only by women veterans.

During the presentation, Bullard said that 70% of women are raped or molested while they are serving their country. Many women veterans suffer from military sexual trauma as well as PTSD.

The event highlighted the importance of supporting these women.

"Honoring veterans of our military is one way to show our patriotism. DAR members simply love to love on our veterans in many ways," said Faulkner. "Women veterans are the invisible veterans. When most people think of veterans, it is not a woman's face that they see."

According to Faulkner, Bullard's resilience is what makes her a superhero.

"This is what makes her dynamic and helpful for veterans, both men and women alike," she said.