Alice Pete

Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

"By the time I left [Operation Mend], not only did everyone notice a major difference in me, but I also knew in my heart that this program had made a profound impact on my life.”

Warrior Alice Pete proudly signs her name as “A Healing Veteran.” The retired U.S. Army staff sergeant served in the military for 14 years, during which time she experienced five deployments. She did two tours of duty in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as serving in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Alice heard about UCLA Health’s Operation Mend program and applied for it through the Wounded Warrior Project. The experience, she says, was truly life changing. Alice had hit a roadblock with the care from her local VA in Texas and felt trapped in a hopeless situation. Overwhelmed by stress, anxiety and depression, she couldn’t see a way forward and believed she might suffer for the rest of her life. 

Operation Mend reached out, and from that moment, everything changed. “They guided me step by step, even before I arrived at their facility, ensuring I never felt lost or alone. From the escorts to the bus drivers and every single doctor, I was treated with genuine care,” Alice says. “I wasn’t just another number; I was seen as a person. By the time I left, not only did everyone notice a major difference in me, but I also knew in my heart that this program had made a profound impact on my life.”

When Alice returned home, Operation Mend helped her secure the medication she had been struggling to obtain for years. “They made sure my prescriptions were seamlessly transferred to my local VA.” 

Thanks to Operation Mend’s care, today Alice is on a healing path. “Although I don’t practice mindfulness every day, when I start feeling overwhelmed, I remind myself to pause and breathe,” she explains. “I still face challenges, but I’m nowhere near where I used to be. I rely on the training I received from Operation Mend.”