DAR ILLINOIS Patriot of the Month

Vice Admiral Nancy Brown was the highest ranking female Navy active duty officer until her retirement in October, 2009 following 35 years of service. Since retiring she has been nominated to serve as an Outside Director of Systematic Software and on the Board of Directors of the United States Naval Institute. She has also accepted several independent consulting opportunities.

Her active duty tours included an assignment as Officer in Charge, Naval Radio and Receiving Facility Kami Seya, Japan; Commanding Officer of the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Cutler, Downeast, Maine; and Commanding Officer Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic, Norfolk. She was on the National Security Council staff at the White House and was also the Deputy Director, White House Military Office. In August 2004 she deployed to Iraq becoming the first Multi-National Force–Iraq C6 headquartered in Baghdad. Returning in April 2005 she was assigned as the J6 for both North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command. In August 2006 she assumed her last active duty position as the Director, Command, Control, Communications and Computer Systems (C4 Systems), The Joint Staff.

Admiral Brown is a member of the Daniel H. Brush DAR Chapter in Carbondale, Illinois.

Tammy Duckworth

As a major in the Illinois Army National Guard, Tammy Duckworth served in Iraq and flew combat missions as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot. During a mission in 2004, a rocket-propelled grenade struck the helicopter she was co-piloting and as a result of the attack, Duckworth lost both of her legs and partial use of one arm. She received many decorations for her service in Iraq, including the Purple Heart and the Air Medal.

Since her recovery at Walter Reed, Duckworth has dedicated her life to public service. She serves as a national advocate on behalf of other veterans, regularly addressing a wide variety of issues facing veterans today. She has testified before both the U.S. House and Senate regarding medical care and employment for returning veterans.

She speaks fluent Thai and Indonesian and is a published author on the connection between environmental radon and lung cancer. She has declined her medical retirement to continue her service in the Illinois Army National Guard.