BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A Whatcom County Navy veteran is being honored for her service to her community, even beyond her time in the service.
Leah Rosetti of Lynden was honored by the National Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) #StillServing Campaign for her work helping other veterans.
Rosetti said she was "blown away" by the honor.
Rosetti joined the military at just 17 after she graduated from high school.
“I knew from the time I was 12 that this is what I was going to do,” she said.
Rosetti said she loved her time serving on the USS Abraham Lincoln in Aviation Ordinance, despite the injuries she suffered, leaving her with physical disabilities. After 10 years and two tours in the Gulf War, Rosetti said she wasn't prepared to adjust to civilian life.
"I was lost, and I self-isolated for 14 years," she said.
Rosetti suffered severe depression, PTSD and struggled with suicidal thoughts. After attempting to take her own life, her case came to the attention of the Veterans of Foreign War and Daughters of the American Revolution, who helped arrange and pay for a service dog named Sergeant.
“He’s a PTSD therapy dog that saved my life,” Rosetti said.
Rosetti credits her husband and Sergeant for helping her through her depression and says she now finds purpose in serving her community.
She spends much of her time raising funds and advocating for veterans. Rosetti raised over $11,000 for the Bellingham-based Brigadoon Service Dogs, an organization that provides service dogs for veterans, children and adults with physical, developmental and behavioral health disabilities.
“This will save lives!” Rosetti said.
Rosetti also jumped into action when recent historic flooding devastated parts of Whatcom County. She organized and carried out relief efforts and collected supplies to distribute from her truck.
"I couldn't just sit there. This is my community and I just had to help," she said.
That's just one of the reasons her local Veterans of Foreign War Post Commander Lonnie Rose felt Rosetti was deserving of the national recognition.
“She serves the community, whether you’re a veteran or not. She jumped into action during the flooding and it was amazing. I can’t think of a veteran that’s more deserving,” Rose said.
Commander Rose says he is pleased to recommend Rosetti to take command of VFW Post 9301 this summer.
Rosetti said she is still in shock to see her name being celebrated on the side of her local VFW and that her story is now being shared in the news.
“I don’t do all of this for recognition. I’m just so honored to be able to serve people the best way I can,” she said.
"After 14 years of self-isolation, this is an amazing feeling."
With Sergeant by her side, Rosetti is on a mission to help as many people as she can, and is already working to get more veterans paired with service dogs.
“I never wanted a handout, I wanted a hand up and I’ve been in those trenches so I know what so many veterans are going through,” she said.
Rosetti says she and Sarge will march into 2022 with her personal motto ‘Veterans serving Veterans’ and hopes to give a hand up to those in need.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline '1-800-273-TALK (8255)' or text TALK to 741741 at the Crisis Text Line.