The Daughters of the American Revolution presented its Community Service Award to Joyce Harris of Gales Ferry on April 10 in New London.

Harris was honored for her many years of service to veterans.

After high school, Joyce enlisted in the Navy and attended Hospital Corps School in Great Lakes, Ill. Her first duty station was in Philadelphia, at the East Coast Regional Hospital where she worked for three years. Following her discharge, Joyce worked at a civilian hospital but continued her connection to the U.S. military by joining a reserve unit. She was in the reserves for two years and then decided to return to active duty for the next four years, stationed at the Naval Hospital in Philadelphia until 1974.

It was then, in 1974, that Joyce was transferred to the Naval Submarine Base in New London where she stood duty at the brand new Naval Hospital for the next three years. While serving, she enlisted in the U.S. Naval Sea Corps in 1976. The main duty of the Sea Corps is to train youths in becoming members of the military after high school.

Joyce first served as Executive Officer with the rank of Ensign; following that she was promoted to Commanding Officer and rose to the rank of LCDR. Joyce retired in 1990.

But retirement did not stop Joyce. She is a Life Member of the following organizations: American Legion (where she held various offices including Post Commander and District Commander); AMVETS (where she held various offices including Commander in the Groton Post); Disabled American Veterans (where she held the office of Secretary for 20 years, Chaplain for 12 years and President of the Branch for three years, among other offices).

She was chairman of the New London Veterans Council for 10 years and spent 15 years heading up the East Lyme Veterans Council. She was a past member of the WAVES National Unit in New London, the VFW Auxiliary, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Navy League.

Joyce has been a Military Bugler since 1966. She has performed at numerous memorial services and funerals, National and Regional Military Conventions; has played at Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Flag Day ceremonies for various veteranorganizations.

She has been invited to play at Arlington National Cemetery since 1996 and has earned a medal from Bugles Across America. She plays “Taps” every year for the Wreaths Across America Ceremony at the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery in December.

“Our Chapter is extremely honored to be able to present the Community Service Award to such a deserving recipient,” Abigail Hinman Chapter Regent Kate Diehm said in a release.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. To learn more, visit www.dar.org or contact www.abigailhinmanctdar@gmail.com.

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