In recognition of Veterans Day 2020, we would like to take the opportunity to honor the service and sacrifice of the Veterans and family members of SAMHSA’s Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Technical Assistance (SMVF TA) Center here at Policy Research Associates (PRA). We asked each team member to share a few details about their service, or the service of their family members, to illustrate the diversity of experiences and the dedication and passion these individuals bring to the work we do to create stronger systems of care for SMVF across the country. Please remember to take moment to recognize the service and sacrifice of those close to you this week.

Our SMVF Team

 

Angela Wright, J.D.

  • Branch: U.S. Air Force
  • When Served: Post-9/11
  • Where Stationed: Keesler Air Force Base (AFB), Mississippi; Sembach Kaserne Army Base (AB), Germany; Vance AFB, Oklahoma
  • Where Deployed: N/A
  • Rate/Rank: E-4 | Senior Airman
  • Job Description: Weather forecaster and observer
  • Comments/Rewards: Air Force Training Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Honor Graduate Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal
 

Angela Wright, J.D.

Angela Wright, J.D.

Chantel Boudreau, M.A.

  • Branch: U.S. Navy
  • When Served: (2009-2016) Post-9/11
  • Where Stationed: First enlistment: Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27, Atsugi, Japan (F-18 Jets); Second Enlistment: Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC)-25 in Yigo, Guam (MH-60S Helicopters)
  • Where Deployed: USS George Washington. Total time underway—1 year, 2 months, and 11 days
  • Rate/Rank: E-5 | AM2 (AW)
  • Job Description: Aviation Structural Mechanic. On the USS George Washington, Chantel spent her last deployment in the Air Refueling Systems (ARS) shop. In Guam, she was the AM Shop night shift supervisor.
  • Comments/Rewards: Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3), Navy/MC Overseas Ribbon(3), Marksman Pistol Shot, Battle “E” Ribbon, Shellback. While serving, Chantel received her Airframe Structural Mechanic Certification from the U.S. Department of Labor and earned her Associates Degree in General Studies.
 

Chantel Boudreau, M.A.

Chantel Boudreau, M.A.

 

Don Harris, M.B.A.

  • Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
  • When Served: (1999-2003) Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom
  • Where Stationed: Okinawa, Japan; Air Station New River, Jacksonville, North Carolina
  • Where Deployed: Zaragoza, Spain, Kuwait, Iraq
  • Rate/Rank: E-4 | Corporal
  • Job Description: Supply Administration
 

United States Marine Corps

United States Marine Corps

Jessica Rose H. Johnson, M.A., C.I.A.

  • Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
  • When Served: (2007-2011) Post-9/11
  • Where Stationed: Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California
  • Rate/Rank: E-4 | Corporal
  • Job Description: Administrative Clerk
  • Comments/Rewards: Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Certificate of Commendation—Individual, Certificate of Appreciation, Sharpshooter Rifle Badge
 

Jessica Rose H. Johnson, M.A., C.I.A.

Jessica Rose H. Johnson, M.A., C.I.A.

Qwynn Galloway-Salazar, M.A.

  • Branch: Army Reserve
  • When Served: Operation Enduring Freedom
  • Where Stationed: Fort Bragg, North Carolina
  • Where Deployed: Did not deploy. Was mobilized in support of the Global War on Terrorism
  • Rate/Rank: E-4| Specialist
  • Job Description: Finance Specialist | Postal Clerk
  • Comments/Rewards: I am thankful to have served, to be the spouse of a retired combat Veteran, and a family member to many who served and are currently serving. Every morning I wake up, I know my “why” is to continue to serve and help to save the lives of our SMVF!
 

Qwynn Galloway-Salazar, M.A.

Qwynn Galloway-Salazar, M.A.

Tashawnya “Tish” McCullough

  • Branch: U.S. Army
  • When Served: (1990-2010) Gulf War and Post-9/11
  • Where Stationed: Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Fort Wainwright, Alaska; Fort Hood, Texas; Mannheim, Germany; Bagdad, Iraq; Fort Sam Houston, Texas
  • Where Deployed: Iraq
  • Rate/Rank: E-7 | Sergeant First Class
  • Job Description: Veterinary Food Inspection Specialist
  • Comments/Rewards: I would do it all again!
 

Tashawnya “Tish” McCullough

Tashawnya “Tish” McCullough

Our Family

 

Bruce Hoosier

  • Relation: Grandfather to Philip Paty
  • Branch: U.S. Navy
  • When Served: August 1955–August 1959
  • Where Stationed: Sonar school in Key West, Florida (November 1955–June 1956); Assigned to Destroyer USS C H Roan DD853 (July 1956–August 1959)
  • Rate/Rank: E-5 | SO2 Hoosier
  • Rewards/Comments: The USS C H Roan traveled much of the world from the Atlantic to the Pacific and crossed the equator a couple times, making him a Shellback. He also traveled through the Arctic Circle. His final cruise was the grand opening of the Saint Lawrence Seaway in the summer of 1959.
 

Bruce Hoosier

Bruce Hoosier

Donacienne Boudreau

  • Relation: Niece to Chantel Boudreau
  • Branch: U.S. Army
  • When Served: (2019-Present) Post-9/11
  • Where Stationed: Camp Humphreys, South Korea
  • Where Deployed: Not Deployed
  • Rate/Rank: E-3 | Private First Class
  • Job Description: 25N-Nodal Networks System Operator and Maintainer. (My job is to make sure that the satellites are properly connected to the Joint Network Node (JNN) shelter to provide internet and phone services)
  • Comment from Donacienne: I haven’t received any awards. I have served in a mission to be the backup network, though. I’m also Combat Lifesaver Course (CLS) certified.
  • Comments from her Aunt Chantel: Nacie (Donacienne) is the oldest of 7 and followed in her father’s footsteps by joining the Army and becoming a Networks Systems Operator and Maintainer. Nacie has a big heart and loves caring for others. In the one photo she is holding her youngest sibling León Boudreau.
 

Donacienne Boudreau

Donacienne Boudreau

 

Sean Motschmann

  • Relation: Younger brother to Aaron Motschmann
  • Branch: U.S. Coast Guard
  • When Served: Currently serving
  • Where Stationed: U.S. Coast Guard Training Center, Cape May, New Jersey
  • Where Deployed: N/A
  • Rate/Rank: E-1 | Seaman Recruit
  • Job Description: Currently in Boot Camp
  • Comments from Aaron: He is my boy, he is my world. Such significance and expression cannot be found in words.
 

United States Coast Guard

United States Coast Guard

Todd Champagne

  • Relation: Brother to Tish McCullough
  • Branch: U.S. Army and Alabama National Guard
  • When Served: (1997-2005) Post-9/11
  • Where Stationed: Prattville, Alabama
  • Where Deployed: Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp
  • Rate/Rank: E-4 | Corporal
  • Job Description: Military Police
  • Comments/Rewards: My brother and I were both deployed at the same time. He was in Guantanamo Bay and I was in Iraq.
 

Todd Champagne

Todd Champagne

Yolanda Blocker

  • Relation: Sister to Jasher Blocker
  • When Served: (1999-2004) Post-9/11
  • Where Stationed: Fort Hood, Texas
  • Where Deployed: Kandahar, Afghanistan and Iraq
  • Rate/Rank: E-4 | Specialist
  • Job Description: Cargo Specialist. Cargo specialists help ensure Army forces receive supplies, weapons, equipment, and mail on a daily basis, all over the world. They are primarily responsible for transferring or supervising the transfer of passengers, cargo and equipment to and from air, land, and water transport by manual and mechanical methods.
  • Comments/Rewards: Army Lapel Button, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon
 

Yolanda Blocker

Yolanda Blocker