Three years after losing my husband, CW2 Keith D. Smith Jr, I found myself at the Pentagon advocating for change. I’d like to share my personal story about grief, Army bereavement policy, finding my voice, and using loss to help create a better path for the Soldiers and families who come next.

The journey that led to Shining Light Legacy began with loss, but it did not end there. This is the story of how grief, healing, and rediscovering purpose became the foundation for a mission dedicated to helping surviving military spouses live forward.