Lori joined the Army at 19 and served for 14 years. As one of four female mechanics in her Battalion, Lori faced obstacles from those who doubted her but the patriotic duty she felt to her country fuelled her perseverance. "I fought hard. I went to every school that I needed and I trained hard," she said. It paid off. Throughout her service, she rose through the ranks from Junior Soldier to Infantry Team Leader.
After ten years overseas, Lori incurred an injury working to repair heavy equipment for her unit but chose to continue her service in the face of adversity. Instead of retiring to recover, she spent the next five years in the Warrior Transition Battalion assisting other wounded service members. "I wanted to show them what they were able to do," she said. Among many projects, Lori started a softball league to aid amputees in their physical therapy. "It really made me want to do more for people."
As a Veteran, Lori is Co-Chairman in her local United Way where she advocates for soldiers and their families. In 2012 she was awarded Soldier Volunteer of the Year. Aside from her work with veterans, Lori volunteers for Meals on Wheels, Toys For Tots, Backpack Buddies, and childhood literacy programs. "Since I can no longer serve in uniform I want to serve in my community so I can still make an impact." Currently Lori is studying Business Administration and Sociology. She hopes to build on her life's work by starting a non-profit to aid veterans.
lori’S PHOTO GALLERY
Lori with 4 international astronauts at Fireball Run
Lori’s Iraq Maintenance Team
Lori at her Life Skills Class celebration
Mail call in Afghanistan
Mass mobile food drive
Lori at a Miss America visit event
Lori with her mother on Christmas
National Night Out
Lori at Project Homeless Connect with a fellow veteran
Lori at Project Homeless Connect
Lori’s promotion ceremony
Afghanistan convoy
Read Across Liberty Week
Lori at her sister’s graduation with their mother
Sisters
Lori with her sisters
Soldier Volunteer Award ceremony
Lori with her Soldier Volunteer Award
Toys for Tots golf tournament
Toys for Tots parade float build
Toys for Tots
Unit team building day in Savannah
Lori in Afghanistan
United Way campaign clay shoot
UnitedWay campaign golf tournament
Visiting family with her mother
Warrior Transition Unit Spring Gala
Lori at a back-to-school rally
Lori with her BackPack Buddies group
Combat truck commander
Lori at a family member’s retirement ceremony
At Fireball Run with Chris MacDonald
Lori with her grandfather’s photos, also veterans