Heather Yang, a U.S. Army veteran, has been elected to the board of the Chicago Chapter of the American Veterans for Equal Rights, replacing long-time president and chapter founder Jim Darby, a U.S. Navy veteran.
Yang, who served with the 105th Military Police Company as a U.S. Army police officer, has served in Bosnia and Iraq and provided security and support to demolition and recovery efforts at Ground Zero in New York City in 2001. Since leaving the service, she has also worked for the American Red Cross and the ALPHA GAMMA Xi Military Sorority. She graduated with her BA from State University of New York Buffalo State in 2006.
Also on the board are Jean Albright, a 20-year U.S. Air Force veteran, Vice President/Secretary; Ed Wosylus, U.S. Air Force, Vice President/Treasurer; Brian Donegan, U.S. Navy, and Stan Jenczk, also U.S. Navy, Senior Board Members; and Mabel Pruit, U.S. Army, and Bernie Santisario Junior Board Members.
Events over the Veterans' Day weekend:
The Center on Halsted is planning a Transgender Military Appreciation event on Nov. 11, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m., honoring transgender service members, transgender veterans and families and allies. A short film "Transgender, At War and In Love" will be shown and LGBT liaisons from two VA installations will be available with information on veterans' services. Vanessa Sheridan, Center on Halsted Director of Transgender Relations and Community Engagement, will host and emcee. There is no charge for the event. RSVP at the link: community.centeronhalsted.org/pages/transmilitaryappreciation .
Following the Center's event, beginning at approximately 4 p.m., the AVER Chicago chapter will conduct a brief outdoor memorial service at the GLBT Veteran's Monument on Halsted. The monument is just south of the Center on Halsted. The monument was commissioned by the AVER Chicago chapter and installed in May of this year.
On the same evening, the new chapter president will be the dinner speaker at the annual Veterans Day dinner. The event begins with an open bar reception at 6 p.m. followed by the program and dinner at 7 p.m. at Ann Sathers, 909 W Belmont Ave., Chicago. For reservations, please call 773-752-0058.
The following day, AVER will conduct a Remembrance Ceremony at the Steger, IL grave of murdered U.S. Navy serviceman Allen Schindler.