Honoring Our Heroes: Veterans Day Through the Eyes of Eartha M.M. White & Amara’s Adventures
You know those moments in history that make you pause, breathe deep, and say, “Wow… they really did that”?
That’s the feeling we get every Veterans Day — a day to honor the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of those who served.
But this year, we’re also shining a light on someone who stood behind the heroes — a woman whose compassion built bridges long after the battlefield went quiet: Eartha M.M. White.
The Woman Who Served Without a Uniform
Long before hashtags and “thank you for your service” yard signs, Eartha Mary Magdalene White was serving in her own way. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, she was a powerhouse of compassion who turned her mission into movement.
When African American veterans returned home from war, often to limited resources — Eartha opened her heart and her doors. Through her Clara White Mission, she provided food, shelter, and dignity to veterans who had nowhere else to go. She founded the Old Folks Home, Children’s Home, and even hospitals that treated Black soldiers and civilians alike during segregation. Let’s be real — she was the definition of doing the most, and doing it with love.A Legacy that Inspired Amara’s Adventures
If you’ve flipped through the pages of Amara’s Adventures: A Trip to Jacksonville, Florida’s African American Museums, you’ve probably met Amara, the curious 11-year-old who can make history feel like an adventure waiting to happen.
In one chapter, Amara learns about Eartha White’s impact on her community — a story that ties courage and compassion together in the most beautiful way. And honestly? That’s what this day is all about.
Because while Veterans Day celebrates those who fought for freedom, it also honors the people like Eartha who fought to make sure our veterans lived in freedom — with food, housing, healthcare, and hope.
From Soldier to Storyteller: Nola D. Oracle’s Journey
The story of Amara’s Adventures hits even closer to home when you know the author behind it — Nola D. Oracle, a proud U.S. Army veteran herself.
After her military service, Nola traded in her uniform for a pen and camera, founding Diaspora Whispers Books Publishing Company to create unique narratives that enrich young readers through the power of storytelling, promoting education, literacy, and social responsibility. Her transition from soldier to storyteller is a testament to how service can take many forms — whether it’s protecting the nation or protecting history through storytelling.
A Note of Gratitude
So today, we say:Thank you to our veterans.
Thank you to the families who stand beside them.
And thank you to every “Eartha White” in the world — the quiet heroes who make sure our soldiers have a home to come back to.
Keep the Legacy Alive
If you’d like to honor a veteran in your life — or just keep stories like Eartha’s and Amara’s alive — grab a copy of Amara’s Adventures and share it with a young reader. It’s more than a book; it’s a love letter to history, community, and the people who give back without expecting anything in return.👉 Purchase Amara’s Adventures here
👉 Learn more about Eartha M.M. White’s legacy
👉 Explore how Diaspora Whispers is preserving cultural stories that deserve the spotlight.
Because the best way to honor history… is to keep telling it.
Keywords: Veterans Day, African American veterans, Eartha M.M. White, Nola D Oracle, Amara’s Adventures, Jacksonville history, Diaspora Whispers, Black history, children’s book, cultural heritage