Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Honors Decorated Freeport Army Veteran as June 2011 "Veteran of the Month"

FREEPORT – The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) today honored Maryna Misiewicz, a Freeport native and United States Army veteran, as June 2011 Veteran of the Month during a ceremony at Krape Park  in Freeport.

The Illinois Veteran of the Month award is a distinction that is given to military Veterans who give back to their community and continue to serve other Veterans. IDVA Assistant Director Sergio Estrada presented the award to Misiewicz, 64, a superintendent with the Stephenson County Veterans’ Assistance Commission.

Misiewicz was honored for her work with Stephenson County veterans as well as Vietnam War-era veterans, and women veterans nationwide.

Misiewicz is a past president of Vietnam Women Veterans, a national organization of female enlisted, staff and line officers who served in Vietnam.  She also serves as an Ombudsman for the Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and is a member of Freeport Chapter of VietNow, AMVETS and the VFW, among other organizations. Misiewicz is a volunteer driver for the Freeport Allied Veteran Van Service, and is involved with the Stephenson County 21st Century Healthy Communities Poverty Work Group, where her duties include providing assistance and transportation to veterans in Illinois and Wisconsin.

Misiewicz joined the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in 1966 and volunteered for service in Vietnam, arriving during the Tet Offensive military campaign in January 1968. She was honorably discharged in 1976, and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Vietnam Service Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation.

“We are proud to honor Maryna Misiewicz as June 2011 Veteran of the Month. Her service to women veterans, Vietnam-era veterans, and all veterans in need has made a tremendous impact in Stephenson County and beyond,” said IDVA Director Dan Grant.