Sisters in Service: Women Veterans Helping Veterans on the Navajo Nation
How two West Valley Women Veterans members are continuing their commitment to service by helping fellow veterans and their families in remote Arizona communities.
For many veterans, the commitment to serving others doesn't end when they take off the uniform. For Tineke Hage and Lorrain Browning, members of West Valley Women Veterans, that commitment has brought them together through an initiative led by Disabled American Veterans (DAV) - Department of Arizona to support veterans and their families living on the Navajo Nation.
What started as a small effort to collect clothing and household necessities has grown into truckloads of donations, an incredible network of volunteers, and a vision to expand assistance to veterans in remote communities throughout Arizona.
Meet Tineke Hage: Finding New Ways to Serve
An Air Force and Air Force Reserve veteran, Tineke has spent much of her career working in positions that give back to the communities where she lived. Now transitioning into retirement, she has found a renewed passion for supporting fellow veterans.
Her involvement began through her husband, Rod Hage, a DAV State Officer and Service Officer, who volunteers with DAV to help veterans access their earned benefits.
During visits to the Navajo Nation, Rod learned that a local community contact, Sara, was personally purchasing clothing and household items for veterans and their families as resources allowed. Recognizing the need, Rod suggested that his DAV chapter organize a donation drive. What happened next exceeded everyone's expectations.
"When I heard of the need I wanted to get involved," Tineke shared.
She joined the volunteers collecting, sorting, boxing, and delivering donated items. What initially seemed like a straightforward opportunity to help quickly became a meaningful experience that strengthened her commitment to the initiative.
"It was life changing and to hear that it would take them so long to get what we could deliver in a matter of weeks just humbled me."
For Tineke, the experience was about more than delivering supplies. It was an opportunity to listen, build relationships, and better understand the needs of veterans and their families.
During the visit, she spent time speaking with local community leaders about everyday necessities that could make a meaningful difference. Those conversations helped identify needs ranging from personal hygiene products and reusable bags to umbrellas for protection from the sun and rain.
"We have so much and most of the veterans on the reservation have so little. I was compelled to do what I could to assist the Navajo veterans."
Tineke hopes to continue supporting these efforts as the initiative grows, helping bring needed resources and assistance to veterans in communities that may have limited access to services.
Meet Lorrain Browning: Finding Purpose Through Veteran Advocacy
A United States Marine Corps veteran, Lorrain comes from a family with a long history of military service. But it wasn't until decades after leaving the Corps that she discovered a new calling.
In 2021, a fellow woman veteran encouraged Lorrain to seek help from DAV with her own veterans benefits claim. That experience introduced her to an organization where she would eventually become a certified Veteran Service Officer and the DAV Department of Arizona Women Veterans Outreach Coordinator.
"After leaving the Corps, I searched for purpose. I found that purpose 35 years after discharge when I was encouraged to become a DAV Veteran Service Officer."
Today, Lorrain helps veterans and surviving spouses navigate the often complicated benefits system, including individuals who have waited years to receive the assistance they've earned.
"When a Veteran is finally able to receive long overdue benefits, I feel like we teamed up to make the winning score in the Super Bowl, only better. The win truly does change lives."
When DAV Chapter 24 began collecting donations for the Navajo Nation, Lorrain saw another opportunity to put her experience to work. Having spent more than 15 years as a commercial truck driver and driving instructor, she volunteered to drive the delivery truck.
One Truck, Two Women Veterans, and an Extraordinary Community Response
What began as a modest donation drive quickly turned into something much larger.
Within weeks, DAV Chapter 24 had collected enough clothing, furniture, and household goods to fill a 26-foot moving truck.
Lorrain climbed behind the wheel, with Tineke riding alongside her for the journey to the Navajo Nation. At one fuel stop, a stranger dubbed them "badass women," a nickname they happily embraced.
But the most meaningful moments came after they arrived.
The volunteers worked together to unload and organize the donations while other DAV representatives helped local veterans with benefits claims. Tineke and Lorrain also spent time listening to community leaders about the needs of veterans and their families.
Their local community contact shared that the amount of assistance delivered in just a few weeks would have taken an estimated 10 years to collect independently.
For Lorrain, one particularly memorable experience was meeting a veteran in his 90s and witnessing the respect and reverence shown to elders within the community.
"The biggest takeaway for me is the dignity of the individuals and the culture," she reflected.
The effort has continued to grow. DAV Chapter 24 has collected another truckload of donations, and the DAV Department of Arizona has provided additional connex storage containers. The volunteers hope to make deliveries every other month and eventually expand the initiative to other remote communities across Arizona.
Beyond delivering supplies, the larger mission is to help ensure veterans in rural and remote areas can access the services and benefits they have earned.
Continuing to Serve, Together
Tineke and Lorrain's story is a reminder that every veteran brings different experiences and strengths to the community. Some organize. Some advocate. Some drive trucks. Others donate supplies, volunteer their time, or help connect veterans to resources.
When asked what advice she would offer other women veterans looking for ways to give back, Lorrain shared:
"Find your strength and your purpose and give back within those strengths."
At West Valley Women Veterans, we are proud to recognize Tineke and Lorrain, along with the DAV Department of Arizona and the many volunteers and community partners making this initiative possible!
Their work reflects something we believe strongly: when women veterans connect, those connections can become opportunities to support one another and make a difference far beyond our own community.
How To Get Involved
Tineke and Lorrain are preparing for their next trip to the Navajo Nation on November 3, 2026, and West Valley Women Veterans is helping them reach their goal of assembling 50 personal care bags for women veterans and their families.
Our monthly brunch is about building connections, and what better way to put those connections into action than supporting our fellow sisters in service?
Whether it's one bottle of lotion, a reusable tote bag, or supplies for an entire care bag, every contribution helps.
Donation Drop-Off
Sunday, November 1, 2026 | 10:00 AM
Together, let's help Tineke and Lorrain reach their goal of 50 care bags and show our sisters on the Navajo Nation that they are not forgotten!
