Editor's note: This is the first in a series of Red Hot Mama veterans stories. We will publish a story or two each day through Veterans Day.

"God Bless America!" rings off the pages as I write today's article. Thoughts of standing on precious ground at Arlington Cemetery and the war memorials in Washington, D.C., waft through my grateful mind.

Compassion invoked by recent visits to area VA centers floods my heart. The memory of my own Vietnam-era husband standing with his hand on the Wall with reverently bowed head brings tears. Was he running the brain-video through his head of the horror of cleaning up his fallen comrades on the hillside after a lengthy battle? Or remembering the humor of a lost buddy? Or feeling the pain of harsh words tossed out in disgust as he returned home? Every veteran has their brain-video. Most don't share it. Our veteran children, siblings, parents, grandparents, and military of all ages resound with commonality. Perhaps my husband expressed it appropriately at 'The Wall' when I asked him if he knew the person whose name his hand rested on as he prayed when he softly answered, "It doesn't matter which name it is. It's all of us."

The Red Hot Mamas are honored by the participation of four veteran Mamas in our company. There are over 20 family veterans represented in the Mama clan as well. A few of our Mamas have agreed to share their military information in hopes of relating to and encouraging service members and civilians as Veterans Day approaches this Nov. 11. They all agree: Find a veteran to thank!

Red Hot Mama Veteran, Marilyn M. Fisher

"If you make a mistake in nursing or the military, someone could die," said Marilyn. She spent a lifetime living within tight lines of order. After military retirement she looked for something a little outside the lines. She was ready to loosen up to have some fun. It's safe to say she stepped outside the lines when she joined RHM.

Her life as a nurse kept her aware and able to take care of her personal health issues until the day something unexpected clobbered her. She had missed the signs of depression creeping up on her. Deep depression took root. Shortly after she followed the advice of a friend to see a doctor, she began treatments for the chemical imbalance depression can manifest. She says, "It was like I stepped from a dark room to a well-lit one. Depression can't be helped by self-pep talks like 'snap out of it', 'you are blessed', 'Why are you feeling sad?', etc..." Sometimes medical intervention makes the world a better place and helps everyone else around you too. People are no more immune from getting depressed than they are immune from getting any other malady. Marilyn encourages people to seek help without self-judgment. She said, "It doesn't mean we are weak for seeking it."

Now she romps. She stomps. She does the happy dance all the way to New York City with RHM.

27 years military service

U.S. Navy 1966-1969 during Vietnam

U.S. Army Nurse Corps 1983-2007 during Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Iraq War

U.S. Navy enlisted HM2 (Nurse), U.S. Army Officer, Retired LTC Army Nurse Corps

Awards: Vietnam Service Medal, Desert Storm Service Medal, Operation Enduring Freedom Service Medal, Iraq War Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Military Medical Merit Medal

Challenges: Separation from loved ones. Her last 14 years of service on "unaccompanied tours" with no family allowed. The Vietnam war when her husband and two brothers were also on active duty.

Rewards: Serving with wonderful people who place others before themselves each and every day. Helping soldiers who sacrificed so much for freedom and still hoped to return to duty. The great honor of serving my country and caring for all the BRAVE, ill and injured soldiers.

Family's view: Proud

Public reception: After Vietnam treatment by the general public was horrible. She was called names. People did mean things, such as spitting on her husband and calling him a baby killer.

After Desert Storm and the Iraq War she was treated with respect and people were kind and thankful. To this day people thank her for her service.

Veteran Husband, John Fisher, 3rd class U.S. Navy Corpsman, 1965-1969

Deployed Vietnam

Veteran Brother, Corky Meyer, U.S. Navy, 1967-1971

Deployed Vietnam

Veteran Brother, Dale Meyer, U.S. Army, 1969-1973

Meet Marilyn M. Fisher

Married 46 years, 2 children, 5 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren

Masters in Nursing/Education

Registered Nurse, Soldier, Army Officer, Retired

Red Hot Mama: 9 months

Enjoyments: Coffee. Sandy Beaches. Oceans. Serving Others. Red Hot Mamas.

RHM Besties: New girlfriends. Learning new things. Fun. Making people laugh.

RHM Tuffies: Time commitment - but worth it.