Call Center for Homeless Veterans 877-424-3838 –
Jan. 14, 2026 – Veteran Esther Frias grew up in Los Angeles after her parents immigrated from Mexico. She remembers watching news coverage of the 1992 Los Angeles riots with her father.
“He would always say, ‘I can’t wait for my kids to be in the military and serve this great country,’” she recalled. That early message stayed with her. After the Sept. 11 attacks, Frias felt compelled to serve and just months after giving birth to her first son, she headed to Navy boot camp.
From 2009-2011, Frias was stationed overseas, leaving behind her then 7-year-old son. During her deployment, Frias experienced military sexual trauma (MST), but her combat mindset kept her going.
“We suck it up and drive on,” Frias said. But when she returned home, the impact of both combat and MST quickly surfaced.
“When I came back, I was very different. I was drinking a lot, I wasn’t as sociable, I was super irritated all the time, and I was mad and angry at men.” National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838.
