MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
DAVIE UPDATE By Mayor Judy Paul
O
ur Veterans ceremony on She was awarded the coveted November 11 was an out- Legion of Merit by the Secretary of the standing salute to all those Army in 2001, the only woman Lieutenant who served. Honoring three WWII vets Colonel USAR in military history at that time to was very emotional. Our guest speaker was Col. Connie receive the LOM. She was retired from the Army Christensen who served in Vietnam. of the United States (AUS), having been promoted Connie Christine Christensen was born in Danville, Illinois, in 2001 to the rank of COL in July 2007 with 39 on July 19, 1947. Her father, Cyrus Robert Christensen (AKA years 9 months of military service to her credit in “Combat Chris”), served in the US Navy on active duty for both the Active and Reserve Component. Her greater than 38 years. “Combat Chris” swore Connie into presence added so much to our ceremony and the US Army on the foredeck of one of his Navy ships, the we honored her with a certificate of appreciation. USS Ability (MSO-519), on October 14, 1967. She was enlisted The Town is excited for the return of our in-person, as a PFC in the Women’s Army Corps for 15 months. After Lighting of the Greens event. This year, due to the passing her Nursing Boards, she was then presented with construction at Town Hall, we will be lighting up the her Commission in the Army Nurse Corps by her father on Pine Island Fitness and Aquatic Center and the Pine December 31, 1968. An Army-trained Operating Room Nurse, Island Multipurpose Center on Saturday, December Connie served in South Vietnam in 1970-71. During her time 4th at 6:00 pm. We will also be hosting a fun winter in the country, she had the opportunity to serve alongside wonderland festival in the park as we kick off the holiday her father for four months in the Mekong Delta, the only season from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. The lights will stay lit father and daughter to serve together during the Vietnam each night through the New Year. War. She transferred to the US Army Reserve on April 21, Best wishes for a happy holiday season 1972, and then pursued an education in nurse anesthesia. and a safe New Year.
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38 / Our City Davie / December 2021 / OurCityMedia.com
