Hale, Leah - Waynesboro, VA - Founder of SALUTE of Virginia

Across America, there are people who see a gap and decide to fill it. Leah Hale is one of them.

In this episode of Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, presented by SALUTE of Virginia, we step into the story of a woman who — without military rank or résumé — earned the trust of a skeptical, tight-knit community of veterans through something more powerful than orders: action.

From a three-person brunch in a small apartment complex to a growing hub of resources, conversation, and connection in Waynesboro, SALUTE of Virginia was never about bureaucracy.

It was about belonging.

With candor and clarity, Leah shares how the absence of structure during her own family’s transition out of military life exposed a wider national problem: veterans and their families face not just the trauma of war, but the disorientation of peace.

And they often face it alone.

Through community-driven events, peer-led mental health initiatives, and a growing coalition of nonprofits and service providers, Leah’s vision for SALUTE has become a model of grassroots transformation.

This is not just a story about what’s broken. It’s a story about what people can build when they decide enough is enough. It’s about coffee, connection, and the quiet dignity of service — not just in uniform, but long after.

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Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heard

Every veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation.

Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come.

Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.

Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.