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WAHS graduate and U.S. Army vet speaks of her inspirations

Facebook Photo Amy Bennett, a 1992 Warren Area High School graduate, spoke to those in attendance at the Veterans Day ceremony held at Soldiers and Sailors Park on Sunday.

Soldiers and Sailors Park was filled with handshakes, hugs and gratitude as folks gathered for the Veterans Day ceremony on Sunday. Despite the nip in the air, many hearts were warmed as the event’s guest speaker told of how the local community instilled an ideal that led her to a stellar career in the U.S. Army.

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Amy Bennett, a 1992 graduate of Warren Area High School, told those gathered that throughout her career she has been asked why she chose to serve in the military. The initial desire to serve was inspired by what she witnessed as a child attending local events.

“The first seeds of my interest in joining the military were planted right here in Warren and Sheffield watching the Fourth of July parades,” Bennett told the crowd. “Aside from the mounds of candy we would scramble for, watching the service members march by — specifically, waiting for my Godfather, Rick Moore, to work his way up the avenue — was my favorite part of the parade. The shiny uniforms, the cadence of each step, it was all impressive.

“I remember a hush would settle over the crowd as the veterans approached,” she said. “People would stand and place their hand over their heart or clap. Through the eyes of a child, I just knew that these men must be important to command a response like that and I wanted to be important one day, too.”

Bennett told the crowd that throughout her military career she continued to be motivated to serve by a desire to be part of something bigger than herself. She found inspiration in the Bible and in stories of selfless service.

Facebook Photo Lt. Col. (Retired) Amy Bennett, a 1992 Warren Area High School graduate, spoke to those in attendance at the Veterans Day ceremony held at Soldiers and Sailors Park on Sunday. Warren County Commissioner Jeff Eggleston is seated behind Bennett. Members of the Youngsville High School Marching Band performed during the ceremony.

Bennett left the crowd with some suggestions of ways to honor veterans and the local community every day.

“To me, the best way to honor our veterans is when we incorporate selfless service into our daily lives,” she said. “Service can be as modest as opening a door for another, mowing your church lawn, coaching a youth athletic team or sharing music in our nursing homes.

‘To create community, this level of volunteering is essential and provides a service when other resources might not be available,” she said. “But when these services start feeling more like a burden, when it’s easier to just let someone else do the task, let us in those moments think of our veterans, the decisions they’ve made, the sacrifices they’ve endured, and the responsibilities placed upon them. Let us remember that they selflessly answered the call when others would not. The best observance of Veterans Day is when we live up to our responsibility to serve others.”

Bennett earned her commission into the U.S. Army upon graduation from the University of Dayton in 1996. She was commissioned with the distinction of distinguished military graduate as a Second Lieutenant in the Military Police Corps.

As part of the 720th Military Police Battalion she served as platoon leader and battalion adjutant. She was next assigned to the 95th Military Police Battalion, Manheim, Germany where she served as the battalion logistics officer and operations officer.

Bennett commanded the 272nd Military Police Company, “Fighting Deuce”, in Manheim. During her command she deployed forces to Kosovo, Croatia, Romania and Africa and led her company and battalion advance party as the first deployed military police unit in support of Operation Iraqi freedom in 2003.

Bennett continued an impressive leadership role until retiring in Oct. 2017.

She continues to serve in roles on the board of directors of the Susan G. Komen Foundation Maryland and the Association of Continuity Professionals of Central Maryland.

Bennett, her husband, Colonel (Retired) Michael Bennett, and three children live in Maryland.

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