Dancing to Breathe Again
From the disciplined halls of the U.S. Marine Corps boot camp to the compassionate corridors of the VA, Veteran Mary Jean Houlahan, has always found her purpose in service.
Inspired by female Marines who visited her college campus, Mary Jean’s path changed. In that moment, she embarked on a military career in 1964.
"The Corps gave me more than I ever gave it. My experiences in the Marine Corps shaped my belief in determination with diplomacy and provided a blueprint for my life" she recalls.
Since she was young, military service has been home to her. Her father, a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant paid the ultimate sacrifice during his service of World War II, just months after her birth.
Although, a bond was never formed, her father left a legacy which profoundly influenced her. "I picked up his shield and carried on in a manner that honored his name," she says.
Her honor of her father remains years later, as she continues her service at the West Palm Beach VA, where she has traded in saving lives in the battlefields to saving lives in the medical field.
Now, Nurse Mary Jean, leads in the Community Care and Pulmonary Service, specializing in lung cancer screening through the Low Dose CT program.
Mary Jean's most cherished award is not a formal decoration but a small box of chocolates from a grateful breast cancer survivor.
Although work is rewarding and the service reminded her of the strength she has, nothing could prepare her for the loss of her husband after 50 solid years of marriage.
Yet again, the camaraderie of service pushed her back on her feet, but this time with something she never tried - participating in the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF), where she discovered solace in ballroom dancing,
Guided by VA music therapist Shashanna Hummer, she created a dance to "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," honoring her late husband. The performance helped her release her grief and reconnect with positive energy.
With tears swarming her eyes, she says, "If I can dance, I can breathe again. The bonds formed with my other Veterans during the festival are unforgettable. We are all coming from a place of needing to be healed physically and or emotionally. The experience of supporting each other, and creating something beautiful brings us closer, replicating the sense of unity we have missed since leaving active service.”
Mary Jean took home more than just healing and finding happiness again, she won, not one, but two national level NVCAF Gold Medals awards in ballroom and rhythm dance.
Her advice to transitioning Veterans is simple: "You are and always will be a part of our unit. It’s just a transfer of function, not a discharge from your ideals, your talents, your abilities or your military community."
For more information on art opportunities: visit https://department.va.gov/veteran-sports/national-veterans-creative-arts-festival/