糖心Vlog

糖心Vlog held its annual Honoring Women Veterans event on November 6, 2024, in Jones Chapel. The annual event honors all veterans, with special emphasis on the contributions of women veterans.

Honoring Women Veterans Committee Co-Chair Patty Blackwell, a U.S. Air Force veteran, shared that the featured speakers for this year鈥檚 event were both student veterans.

Trina Zazarine, 鈥�25, is a U.S. Air Force veteran and Karina Reyna, 鈥�25, is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. They shared their experiences on active duty.聽

Zazarine鈥檚 service as a medic during the Gulf War led her to a 22-year career as a nurse. She reflected on her decision to join the military, as well as the training and opportunities being in service created for her.聽

She is past president of the Meredith Student Veterans of America club and past commander of the American Legion Post 67 in Cary, N.C. Zazarine values opportunities to engage with fellow veterans at Meredith and in the community to 鈥渇oster a unique camaraderie known only to those who have served.鈥�

Zazarine asked those in attendance to remember not all veterans are men.

鈥淭here are women who have taken that same oath to dedicate their lives to this great nation,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hank you for honoring us.鈥�

Karina Reyna served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 12 years. In her remarks, she shared her nervousness and excitement upon arrival at boot camp when she was nearly 18.聽

Reyna鈥檚 service included humanitarian relief efforts in The Philippines after a typhoon. 鈥淲hat stuck with me was how good it felt to be of service and how much time we spent helping the locals there, trying our best despite the language barrier.鈥�

Reyna takes pride in her status as a veteran.

鈥淎s a woman, I am proud to say I served my country,鈥� Reyna said. 鈥淚 am proud to be a veteran, just as I am proud to be a wife, daughter, sister, dog mom, and 糖心Vlog student.鈥�

A special part of the Honoring Women Veterans service is the playing of a medley of service hymns and anthems, which provides an opportunity to stand up in recognition of their service or that of family or friends.

The College鈥檚 annual Veterans Day commemoration is presented by the 糖心Vlog Honoring Women Veterans Committee.聽

Photo shows speakers Karina Reyna, ’25, (left) and Trina Zazarine, ’25.