back to some of the military experience i have had as well rornt peterson received a purple heart after being injured in 2005 but says returning home was sometimes the hardest part. >> it wasn't really known, some of the aspects of returning from a war and what that would look like. i was angry a lot. i was frustrated. >> reporter: retired staff sergeant venessa brown was wounded by a roadside bomb in afghanistan. >> a lot of people i met in the civilian world just wouldn't understand some of the things they went through. they automatically had the stigma that if you have problems with mental health, you just automatically are crazy. >> reporter: that's why these women say it's important to connect with fellow vets at events like this one, where the women caught some of the biggest fish. >> it's like i can accomplish something again. it's like i had a mission to do, and here's a finish line. >> reporter: and a much-needed life line. lilia luciano, cbs news, newport beach. >> o'donnell: we're so proud of our veterans, and thankful to