Why I Serve

By Cassandra Taylor

My goal for this book was to highlight fifty women veterans. But the outpouring response from the women warriors' willingness to share the reason behind their selfless service in the US Military was beyond what I could have ever imagined. These stories you are about to read will either make you laugh, cry, cheer, or get angry; they may even shock you! Just know that these women did what most women would not do, and that's serve their country. Women have been serving and loving America long before America loved her, but that never stopped the heart of a warrior.With over two million women that have served, past and present, what better way to show them homage than this? Storytelling is the best form of historical documentation, and these stories need to be told. Here is a small yet powerful introduction to sixty-eight of America's most brave and beautiful women telling their story Why I Served.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9781638859116

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Part One: Army Stories

Army Core Values

Allaina Rapps—United States Army

Angela Burrell-Brown, Chief Warrant Officer 3 (RET)—United States Army

Angela Haynes, Sergeant First Class (RET)—United States Army

Beverly A. Fitch, Sergeant First Class (RET)—United States Army

Blanca E. Taylor, Staff Sergeant—United States Army

Cassandra Taylor, Sergeant First Class (RET)—United States Army

Mildred Charice Davis, Master Sergeant (RET)—United States Army

Deborah Gibson, Master Sergeant (RET)—United States Army Reserve

Frances F. Chancey, Lieutenant Colonel (RET)—United States Army (1974 to 2012)

Geetanjali Kur Singh, Staff Sergeant (RET)—United States Army

Goldie M. Schuh, Master Sergeant (RET)—United States Army

Jeannie Campbell, Staff Sergeant—United States Army

Jessica A. Beard, Major—United States Army

Kathy Ebert, Sergeant First Class(RET)—United States Army

Keisler Taylor-Glover, Staff Sergeant (RET), United States Army

Kerri Rene Jeter (Higgins), Captain—United States Army

Kit Amidzich, Specialist—United States Army

LaTesha Davis, Specialist—United States Army

Leslie Latimore-Lorfils, Lieutenant Colonel—United States Army

Maria Auer Salmon, Captain—United States Army

Marsha L. Covington, Sergeant First Class (RET)—United States Army

Mitzi Hinton, Sergeant Major(RET)—United States Army

Natanisha Hershberger, Staff Sergeant(RET)—United States Army

Paulette McDermott Risher, Major General (RET)—United States Army

Rebecca J. Tauber, Staff Sergeant, United States Army

Regina Lucas, Sergeant First Class (RET)—United States Army

Rhonda R. Ellison, Master Sergeant (RET), United States Army

In Loving Memory of Chief Warrant Officer 4(RET) Rochelle Shehi-Martell—United States Army

Sally Rejas, Sergeant, United States Army

Samantha Villafuerte, Sergeant First Class, United States Army

Shalanda N. Martin, Sergeant, United States Army

Shanda Bear Taylor Boyd, Captain (RET)—United States Army

Shellie D. Willis, Master Sergeant (RET), United States Army

Sophia Murry, Staff Sergeant, United States Army

Sundance Miller, Sergeant, United States Army

Susie Moses, Master Sergeant (RET), United States Army

Terra Lynn Roberts, Staff Sergeant (RET), United States Army

Tina Blumenberg, Staff Sergeant—United States Army

Valerie Medlock, Sergeant First Class (RET), United States Army

Violet Johnson, Lieutenant Colonel (RET)—United States Army

Yolanda Molden, Sergeant First Class—United States Army

Yolanda Owens, Master Sergeant (RET), United States Army

Yolanda L. Powell, Sergeant First Class (RET)—United States Army

Part Two: Marine Stories

Marine Corps Values

Amanda Woodcock—United States Marine Corps

Arvetta K. Edens, Chief Warrant Officer Three (RET), Arkansas Army National Guard

Crystal D. Ellis, Corporal, United States Marine Corps

Diane Ahrens, Corporal, United States Marine Corps

Jessica Vargas, United States Marine Corps

Joyce Ralph, Corporal, United States Marine Corps

Julia S. Sullivan Homrighausen, Corporal, United States Marine Corps

Dr. Karen M. Walker—United States Marine Corps

Suzy Keller, Staff Sergeant—United States Marine Corps

Valerie Ramos, Corporal—United States Marine

Part Three: Navy Stories

Navy Core Values

Deanna Davis, E3 Airman, United States Navy

Jacqueline Zappey, E3 Airman, United States Navy

Lalena Magnetta, First Class Petty Officer, United States Navy

Melissa Taulbee, E3 Airman, United States Navy

Patricia A. Moore, United States Navy

Shanan Kreft, 3rd Class Petty Officer, United States Navy

YoLonda Pickens, CTRC (SW), (RET)—United States Navy

Part Four: Air Force Stories

Air Force Core Values

Amelia Cunningham, Airman First Class, United States Air Force

Anne E. Shafer, Staff Sergeant—United States Air Force National Guard

Donna Fransen, United States Air Force

Elis M. Salamone, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army and United States Air Force

Leandra Hernandez, E4 Senior Airman, United States Air Force

Dr. Makeba Butler, E3 Airman, United States Air Force

Takisha Ruffin, Master Sergeant (RET), United States Air Force

Part Five: Coast Guard Stories

Coast Guard Core Values

Gladys Hughes, HA1C, 1945–46—United States Coast Guard, SPAR

Conclusion

About the Author

cover.jpg

Why I Serve

Cassandra Taylor

ISBN 978-1-63885-910-9 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63885-911-6 (Digital)

Copyright © 2022 Cassandra Taylor

All rights reserved

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books

11661 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

To all my sisters in arms, those that have shared their stories, and those that have not. This book is a collaboration of stories of the brave women veterans that joined the military. Not everyone received the emotional support of their family when they were told of their decision to join. But their determination didn't stop them from doing what their hearts led them to do. No particular branch of service is greater than the other, but the stories in why each woman chose their branch is an amazing story to read.

I believe our stories will touch your heart and make you proud that we did what some either wouldn't or couldn't do. We are all conquerors in our own way! For too long our voices have not been heard and no one wanted to talk about the things that women accomplished while serving. But this book will tell you about the women that served and why they decided to serve. Through creative storytelling, these stories will take you on an emotional ride; our intent is to share with you our one desire! And that desire is to serve our country.

So many people helped me along the way in making the decision to write this book. From my sorority sister Jennifer to my daughter, LaTesha, and everyone in between. I could not have done this without all of them, and I am honored to call them all my sisters.

One team, one fight.

Part One

Army Stories

Army stories told by: Allaina Rapps, Angela Burrell, Angela Haynes, Beverly Fitch, Blanca E. Taylor, Cassandra Taylor, Charice Davis, Deborah Gibson, Frances Chancey, Geetanjali Singh, Goldie Schuh, Jeannie Campbell, Jessica Beard, Kathy Ebert, Keisler Taylor, Kerri Jeter, Kit Amidzich, Latesh Davis, Leslie Latimore-Lorfils, Maria Salmon, Marsha Covington, Mitzi Hinton, Natanisha Hershberger, Paulette McDermott Risher, Rebecca Tauber, Regina Lucas, Rhonda Ellison, Rochelle Shehi-Martell, Sally Rejas, Samantha Villafuerte, Shalanda Martin, Shanda Taylor-Boyd, Shellie Willis, Sophia Murry, Sundance Miller, Susie Moses, Terra Roberts, Tina Blumenberg, Valeria Medlock, Violet Johnson, Yolanda Molden, Yolanda Owens, Yolanda L. Powell.

Army Core Values

Loyalty: Bear true faith and allegiance to the US Constitution, the Army, your unit, and other Soldiers.

Duty: Fulfill your obligations. Doing your duty means more than carrying out your assigned tasks.

Respect: Treat people as they should be treated.

Selfless Service: Put the welfare of the nation, the Army, and your subordinates before your own.

Honor: Live up to all the Army values.

Integrity: Do what's right legally and morally.

Personal Courage: Face fear; danger; or adversity, both physical and moral.

https://www.army.mil/values/

Allaina Rapps—United States Army

Why does anyone serve this great nation? Perhaps it is to make a difference, or for some noble cause. I would like to say that is true for me; it sounds good, but based on my life's journey, that was not the case. I joined because I wanted to do something different from what I was accustomed to seeing my whole life. A life of chaos and instability. I wanted something better, something worthwhile, something consistent and stable. The answer to my prayers was the Army; it provided that for me and more.

Sit back and put your seat belts on while I take you on a ride of my life's trials and achievements…

Growing up as the oldest of five in a single-parent household was not easy at all. My childhood was not the norm, far from it actually. For plenty of children like myself, I am sure they know that struggle very well. My upbringing was not typical. My mom had to work three jobs just to put food on the table for you and your siblings. My upbringing was filled with uncertainty, fear, and abuse. A combination for disaster that would tear the strongest person to shreds, let alone a child.

Our home was hell. Imagine a mother telling you that you cannot go to school on a regular basis because the government is out to get her, some sort of conspiracy theory that your young mind was unable to comprehend. I only knew that I should have been in school, or being barricaded in a room because your brother was throwing a tantrum that somehow became your fault but at the same time thankful because now that barricade was a separation that eliminated your mother from hitting you in a drunken rage. Or being in a house with no food and so hungry that you and your siblings risked sneaking out the house with a one-dollar colorful food stamp stolen from the kitchen table where your mother was passed out from a drunken night. Or being petrified of what she may do if she found out and caught you. Or wearing the same clothes every day like a TV show rerun, or a snapshot of déjà vu. Trust me, that is not even the worst of it, but I will spare you additional details of our house of horror.

Due to the dysfunction of our household, my siblings and I were taken into foster care. I remember being scared. Scared because I was only eleven years old, and I did not know where I was going. Packing up and leaving everything behind was the hardest. A child being ripped from dysfunction that had become her norm for eleven years. A scary thought indeed. Though my emotions were mixed, something inside me knew that where I was going could not be nearly as bad as the hell I had been living in. That thought alone gave me a bit of a calming reassurance that everything would be okay in the future.

Eventually it was. My future led to me joining the Army and having a chance to succeed at life and challenge myself in ways I never thought possible. It provided stability and opportunities to better myself and my family. In addition, unlike any other profession, it provided free education, healthcare, training, uniforms, food, housing, and opportunities for travel. Serving in the Army has been the best decision I ever made.

Nineteen years later, this young girl is now an accomplished Senior Non-Commissioned Officer who uses her experiences to mentor others (on the job and through public speaking opportunities). I was able to raise one of my siblings as my own and be afforded opportunities unlike any other which I am extremely proud about. I competed and won the title of Ms. Veteran America 2013 with a prize of $15,000. Watch out now!

Though the beginning of my journey was filled with thorns and chaos, a rose grew with roots being of the Army.

Angela Burrell-Brown, Chief Warrant Officer 3 (RET)—United States Army

While other twenty-year-old ladies were out enjoying life and partying, I was thinking about ways I could help provide for my family. I had two little girls that I needed to provide for and wanted to give a better life. During that time in 1990, the Gulf War had started. There was something burning inside of me that wanted to protect and serve this country. That desire led me to the conscious decision to join the Army, the best branch in the Armed Forces.

When I went to the recruiter's office, he stated the only way I could join was I had to give up custody of my two daughters. Ha! You know that was not going to happen! Not that I didn't have anyone to care for them or love them as I did. I just didn't want to give up my parental rights. No one would ever say that I chose the Army over the welfare of my kids, so I decided not to join. So I decided to enroll in college and work toward getting my associate degree at Robert Morris College.

My mind shifted, and I began settling in as a mom and focused on creating a career in the business world. After I received my degree, I was hired at Oakton Community College in the student support services office as an administrative assistant. The travel was horrible! Three hours a day was spent in traveling back and forth to work! I did not see myself working this job for much longer. Not only did I feel like I was in a dead-end job, but I was missing