Born: Unknown, Jamaica
Died: NA
Country most active: United States
Also known as: NA
The following is republished from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This piece falls under under public domain, as copyright does not apply to “any work of the U.S. Government” where “a work prepared by an officer or employee of the U.S. Government as part of that person’s official duties” (See, 17 U.S.C. §§ 101, 105).
Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Claudette Williams. Claudette served during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Claudette was born in Jamaica and immigrated to New York when she was young. She later joined the Army Reserves and became a mother of four. She decided to move from New York to Pennsylvania to raise her family. After the 9/11 attacks, Claudette was called to active duty in 2003. Claudette feels the 9/11 attacks were a major turning point in her life. She had four children at home but felt it was her duty to serve her country and by protecting her country she would be protecting her children as well.
Claudette’s missions took her to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and many other places in Southwest Asia. Over her 30 years of service, Claudette served in many different positions in the military. She was a transportation coordinator for the 1079th Garrison Support. Claudette was also stationed at Scott Airforce Base, Fort Totten, and Caven Point, New Jersey. Claudette retired as a sergeant major and later went on to serve her country as a legislator. She became the first black women to be a political party chair in her home county. She is also president of the Mount Pocono Borough Council and a police commissioner.