The Battle of Leyte Gulf was fought near the Philippines over several days with a number of different engagements. The combined conflict made it the largest naval battle of the Second World War, and by some estimates, the largest naval battle in history. More than 200,000 naval soldiers, auxiliary personnel, and officers were involved in the conflict between October 23d and 26th of 1944. The forces were mostly American and Australian on the Allied side against Imperial Japanese on the Axis side.

For some veterans, the battle doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. But one Navy veteran in Westminster has found healing in a simple stitch. Johanna Doll, owner of Sew ‘N Sweep, is using fabric, thread, and community spirit to sew strength into the lives of others — and her own. “When I did therapy they recommended I get a hobby and I was like, I'll try sewing and that's how this whole building became a thing,” said Doll. She served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Vella Gulf, an experience th