The Ripples We Leave Behind: Flourish Celebrates Women Veterans and Spouses
More than 40 women veterans and veteran spouses gathered at The Venue on Kirk in Troy for Operation Veteran & Caregiver Support’s Flourish Ladies Luncheon — an afternoon intentionally designed to help women feel refreshed, appreciated, and connected.
From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere felt warm and welcoming. Upon entering, each woman was invited to select a small pebble and place it into a basin of water, watching the ripples spread outward across the surface. During the afternoon, OV Director Valerie reflected on the meaning behind the visual reminder: that every life creates an impact, even when it may feel small or unseen. The ripples we create through kindness, service, sacrifice, and support continue outward, touching far more lives than we often realize.
Vintage teacups and saucers decorated the tables as conversations quickly filled the room. Guests enjoyed an elegant lunch featuring cucumber sandwiches, chicken salad croissants, tortilla rollups, orange scones, mini cupcakes, fruit tarts, and a selection of both hot and cold teas.
A highlight of the afternoon was a tea blending workshop led by Angela of Seven Sisters Apothecary, who guided attendees through the process of creating personalized tea blends to take home. The experience offered not only creativity and fun, but also a chance for women to slow down, connect, and enjoy meaningful conversation together.
Guests also created practical “purse first aid kits” filled with everyday essentials including flossers, stain wipes, chapstick, q-tips, mouthwash strips, toothpicks, and more — a simple activity that quickly became a favorite part of the day.
The thoughtful details throughout the luncheon made the event especially meaningful. Each attendee received a unique vintage teacup and saucer to take home, along with handmade necklaces created by a fellow female veteran specifically for the event — small but heartfelt reminders of the connection and care shared throughout the afternoon.
One of the most moving moments came during a special presentation of a custom-designed challenge coin created by Navy veteran Christina Webb. Each woman received a commemorative coin featuring Loretta Walsh, recognized as the first woman to enlist in the United States Armed Forces in a role other than nursing, with the Operation Veteran & Caregiver Support logo displayed on the reverse side.
By the end of the afternoon, conversations lingered long after the tea cups were emptied. Women left with handmade tea blends, keepsakes, new friendships, and the reminder that their service, sacrifices, and stories matter deeply.
Operation Veteran & Caregiver Support would also like to extend sincere thanks to the many community partners who helped make Flourish possible. The beautiful venue space was generously donated by The Venue on Kirk, while floral arrangements were provided through the generosity of Oberer’s Flowers, Trojan Florist, Patterson Flowers, and Your Personal Florist. Their support helped create a truly beautiful and welcoming environment for the women who attended.
Events like Flourish are an important part of Operation Veteran and Caregiver Support’s mission to ensure both veterans and their caregivers feel seen, supported, and connected — not only during difficult seasons, but in moments of joy and community as well.
We would love you to join us for future events! Check out our Upcoming Events page by clicking here to see where you can find us next!