Four women honored for their work with veterans, service members
Four women were honored Wednesday by the local chapter of the Association of the United States Navy for their work helping veterans, service members and their families.
The women, Jeannie Gardiner, Beth Hundley, Gina King and Mirca Reyes, thought they were attending a luncheon at the Groton Townhouse to discuss the various programs with which they're involved.
Instead, they were surprised with awards recognizing their work.
Navy veteran Paul Dillon of Gales Ferry, the president of the Nautilus chapter of AUSN, said the group looked at who in the community was deserving of recognition for what they do for veterans and these four women fit the bill. U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, also was in attendance to honor the women.
"It was a surprise, a very pleasant surprise," said King, director of senior volunteer services for the Thames Valley Council for Community Action.
King helped to establish so-called veteran coffeehouses at six locations across the state, where veterans meet to connect with one another, build camaraderie and receive information regarding benefits and services through state and federal agencies and programs. King said she loves being surrounded by the vets and hearing their stories.
"I greatly appreciate the recognition. It's good to know that someone notices the hard work done to help our vets," said Reyes, the veterans transitional housing case manager for the New London Homeless Hospitality Center.
Reyes placed 38 veterans into homes in 2018, her first year on the job.
"I'm a disabled vet, so to be able to help my brothers and sisters in arms is the most rewarding position I've ever held," she said.
She said she works closely with two of the other honorees, Gardiner and Hundley.
"It was quite an honor to be recognized in that capacity," said Gardiner, a veterans service officer with the state who helps vets and eligible dependents navigate the benefits process.
Gardiner started as a clerk typist with the office, but her supervisor realized the initiative she took in that position to learn as much as she could and asked if she ever would want to be a veterans service officer if the opportunity arose. She's been a VSO for about five years now, providing assistance to over 1,000 claimants.
"It is with great honor and pleasure that I serve this population," Gardiner said.
Hundley, Navy Gold Star Coordinator for New England and New York, said she was humbled by the recognition. The program serves the families of those who died while on active duty, regardless of manner of death.
"While I prefer the spotlight be focused on the fallen service members, I am grateful for any opportunity that reminds people that freedom isn't free, and each American owes a debt of gratitude to those who put on the uniform and raise their right hand in service to our nation," she said.
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