14 Memorial Medical Milestones • 2026 Issue 2 Mike and Racquel Edmond know the importance of finding the right support at the right time. Through their organization, Once Was Inc., the couple helps connect veterans with resources that often go unused or unknown. For veterans who live far from a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital or outside a traditional military community, benefits can be difficult to navigate. Mike and Racquel’s mission is to help these veterans become anchored back into the communities they served to protect. That mission is personal. Mike is a Navy veteran, and he and Racquel have built their work around service, hospitality and helping others find connection. An allergy becomes an emergency During a recent visit to Lake Charles, Mike and Racquel found themselves on the other side of that support. The couple was at a local restaurant when Mike began experiencing a serious allergic reaction. His symptoms escalated quickly, and Racquel knew he needed emergency care fast. As a disabled veteran with servicerelated health concerns, Mike’s healthcare needs can become urgent rather quickly. Confidence in a moment of crisis How one emergency visit showed Mike and Racquel the strength of local care
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