(COLORADO SPRINGS) — A Colorado Springs veteran was honored in a Military Women’s Memorial Living Legend Ceremony on Friday, April 24, recognizing her for service as an active-duty soldier and her deep involvement and leadership as a volunteer in the community.
Staff Sergeant Mindy King, US Army, Retired, was a Black Hawk helicopter mechanic who completed two combat deployments to Iraq in 2008 and 2011 and 399 combat flying hours. During her service, she conducted seven “Hero Missions,” in which a fallen soldier is taken on the first leg of the journey from the combat theater of operations, often as a Black Hawk aerial door gunner.
SSG King received an honorable discharge and was medically retired in 2011 when she got her master’s degree and became a human relations counselor. She has since spent her time volunteering in support of active-duty military members, veterans, their families, and civilians, not only in Colorado but also nationally and internationally.
Her volunteer service includes supporting families through resource and service centers, creating educational youth support programs, and organizing support for Gold Star Families, “Purple” military children, active-duty soldiers, and community welcome-home efforts. Through her various leadership positions in VFW District 5 and VFW Post 101 in Colorado Springs, SSG King has led multiple community outreach programs. With Wreaths Across America, she has helped identify, map, and repair veteran graves at Evergreen Cemetery…