As a proud “Star Trek” fan and USAF veteran, Sarah Lamp has always reached for the stars. Now, her latest big-time achievement is out of this world as she is featured as Miss September 2024 in the Pin-Ups for Vets calendar, and she’s kindly given everyone a sneak peek. This award-winning nonprofit was founded by California resident Gina Elise to raise money to support hospitalized and deployed troops with World War II-inspired bombshell calendars featuring veterans as models. Cool concept, right?
Lamp hopes that her photos will inspire others who are struggling with mental health issues and wants to shine a spotlight on topics which many feel ashamed discussing openly.
She admits that doing the calendar was terrifying but recognizes that the purpose of it is greater than her individual experience.
Growing up inspired by her father’s love for the military and his dream of serving even though he could not due to flat feet and poor eyesight, Sarah enlisted in 2003 herself after being inspired by all of the women joining the USAF at once.
Since then she has earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from Washington State University, been stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, Los Angeles and even deployed to Afghanistan before leaving service in 2018.
Gina Elise launched Pin-Ups for Vets back in 2006 after seeing news articles about underfunded health care programs for veterans.
She wanted to make a difference so since its launch they have donated over $100 000 towards rehabilitation equipment and financial assistance programs across America while visiting 16,000 ill or injured veterans at their bedsides during their 50 state tour during the pandemic they sent morale boosting care packages around the globe to deployed US troops showing appreciation from home.
This year’s 18th edition features 13 female veterans posing as classic bombshells from ‘40s including Lamp who said it gave her confidence knowing she faced this fear and conquered it despite feeling depressed returning into civilian life after leaving service without any real support network other than what she found through Pin-Up’s For Vet’s “like the VA’s fairy godmother” according to Lamp herself.
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