Daneva Marshall suffered blast exposure – an injury that can cause both physical and mental trauma — while serving in the U.S. Army in the Iraq war.
She was medically retired after more than 15 years of service to begin the journey to recovery. On June 6 – D-Day – she was leading a rally in front of the Chico VA Clinic to oppose cutbacks to VA services.
“This is personal to me,” Marshall told ChicoSol. “I utilize these services. I don’t think I’d be here without the VA.”
Marshall said she just completed the eight-week Intensive Pain Rehabilitation Program the local clinic offers.
Marshall had plenty of company last week at the Unite for Veterans rally on Concord Avenue. About 230 people joined the group Marshall has organized, the Veterans Action Group, waving flags and hoisting signs that often bore pictures of loved ones.