I decided to join the military because I am the oldest of 5 children, receiving no college $ help and I wanted to minimize my college debt. I served in the MN Army National Guard from 2000-2006 as a carpenter/mason for the 142nd Engineers out of Camp Ripley and deployed to Iraq in 2003-2004. During my deployment we made our base livable by making tent pads, roads, bathrooms, showers, chow halls, etc. as more and more soldiers arrived on the base in Iraq.
I met so many wonderful people through the military, including my husband. I have been married for 16 years to Lieutenant Colonel, Jeff Smith, (who has 21 years in the military), who deployed to Iraq in 2007-2008. I am grateful for the experience, the people I met from all over the world and the tuition assistance and reimbursement. It was an experience that I am glad I had but am glad it is over!
Ë®¹ûÅÉ recognizes its employee Veterans during the months of October and November.
October is Veterans’ Voices month. Since 2013, the Minnesota Humanities Center has honored Minnesota Veterans who, in myriad ways, contribute to their communities, state, and country.