Hello all!

This year at PASS Summit, I wanted to do something different.  In the past Summit’s that I have attended, one of the things that I have noticed is the custom ribbons folks bring. Usually by the end of the week, I have a long trail of ribbons ranging from Virtual Group Leader, to Women In Technology support.  This year, I am bringing my own ribbons.

I am an avid supporter of our Veteran community be it in Technology, or at home in South Park, PA. As a United States Marine Corps Veteran myself, I appreciate it when I have folks say thank you to me, or shake my hand, hug me, etc out of respect for my service. This weekend, “Thank You For Your Service” (IMDB) launched in theaters.  My local VFW received a reserved theater to see the movie Thursday night. Myself, and 15 other Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans and our Spouses were given a ticket, popcorn, and drinks and a private theater to watch the movie.  I can’t tell you how much I connected with this movie…it was one of the most accurate portrayals to what a substantial amount of combat veterans face when reintegrating into the world outside of combat.  It was a complete coincidence that this movie was launched and my idea for the ribbons coincided the weekend prior to PASS Summit.

If you are a Veteran from ANY branch of military(Non-US as well), please find me at PASS Summit and claim your ribbon, receive a handshake or a hug, whichever you want is fine with me, but know that I will always be one of our biggest supporters, loudest voices, and shoulder to lean on.  I look forward to meeting every single one of you and hope everybody has a great week!