Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Air Force and Army Veteran Erin L. McLyman. Erin served during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Erin was born in Eugene, Oregon, and she enlisted in the Air Force after her high school graduation in 2001 and became a supply management journeyman. Before her service, Erin had alcohol and drug addiction obstacles during her freshman year, which she overcame and successfully turned her life around. She graduated on time and earned Sheldon High School’s Turnaround Achievement Award and immediately joined the Air Force. She was discharged from the Air Force in 2004 and served in the Oregon National Guard after.
She then joined the Army in December 2008 and trained to become a wheeled vehicle mechanic. She was then assigned to the 296 Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division in Fort Lewis, Washington in April 2009. Erin and her unit deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in August 2009 to Forward Operating Base Warhorse. During her leave, she had an accident that caused a neck injury and was reassigned to the rear detachment, and she asked to be medically cleared to be redeployed in February 2009.
In March 2009, Erin was assigned to the 1 Squadron, 14th Calvary Regiment, 3-2 SBCT to participate in a rotating female search team assignment that involved alternating every three days between the checkpoints and Combat Outpost Cobra. Erin died March 13, 2010, after being wounded by an enemy forces’ mortar attack while walking to dinner from the base dining facility. The renovated facility was named The Private First Class Erin McLyman Dining Facility in her honor on April 3, 2010.
We honor her service.
Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay
Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.
It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.
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