#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Katasha Gray

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Katasha Gray, who worked as an food service specialist during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Katasha Gray comes from a military family. Her father, brother, uncle and cousin all served in the military. Wanting to continue the tradition, Gray enlisted in the Army in October 2000.

After completing basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Gray entered food service  During advanced individual training at Fort Lee, Virginia, Gray learned the standard menus and recipes served in mess halls and how to store food supplies.

Gray’s first assignment was at Camp Red Cloud in South Korea. She worked in the mess hall of the Second Infantry Division’s commanding general. Gray later transferred to Fort Polk, Louisiana, and worked in the mess hall until March 2003. That year, she deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom and remained there until March 2004. Upon her return to the U.S., Gray left service for medical reasons and honorably discharged in December. For her service, Gray received an Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Army Good Conduct Medal.

After leaving the military, Gray attended Langston University in Oklahoma and studied elementary school teaching. Upon graduating in 2008, Gray became a teacher in Irving, Texas. She also became active in the afterschool program, teaching skill building and reading comprehension. In 2012, she entered the University of Texas in Arlington and pursued a master’s degree in social work. While in graduate school, Gray worked as a graduate student intern and studied counseling and social work assistance to adopted and fostered children.

In 2016, Gray joined the Texas Veterans Commission, which advocates for Texas Veterans and their families. Gray became a Veterans career adviser, working with Veterans to find resources that can help with post-service careers. She also conducts workshops for Veterans on resume building, interviewing and more. Gray planned and executed the second annual Texas Women’s Veterans Day event and started a workshop for incarcerated Veterans at the Green Bay facility in Fort Worth, Texas.

Thank you for your service!

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Contributors

Writer: Sarah Concepcion

Editor: Claire Pei

Fact checker: Giancarlo Gilbert-Igelsrud

Graphic artist: Michelle Zischke