Patricia Marianne Blackwell
About Patricia
Veteran
Patty served on active duty in the USAF, working mainly in Mortuary Affairs. She negotiated contracts, performed search & recovery, temp morgue operations, logs, paperwork. She worked with the next of kin for return of personal belongings, preparation, interment & honors. Patty also served as field trainer, teaching Prime Readiness in Base Services: Mobile Kitchen Trailer, temp morgue, laundry, billeting, tactical field exchange, etc. In August 1991, her unit flew to Oman to support the 82nd Airborne, and then was sent to Qatar as Services/MWR Squadron Commander to set up food, billeting, laundry, field exchange, MWR, and temporary morgue for the 401st TFW (Provisional) out of Torrejon, Spain for Desert Shield and Storm. Upon returning to Pope AFB, the unit had changed to 317th MWRS, supporting A-10s. She participated in search and recovery for the Blewett Falls Lake C-130 crash. Due to post-Gulf War cutbacks, Patty was separated from the military in 1992. After a variety of jobs from boat manufacturer stockroom manager to software technical manual translator, she took a position at Facilities Services at Meredith College, where she has been employed for 28 years. She has been co-chair of the Honoring Women Veterans Committee since 2013, providing an annual event on campus honoring veterans. She has also served as staff advisor for the Meredith Student Veterans Association. She is a charter member of the Military Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, and member of Triangle Women Veterans #144.
Flag Location
Flag
Column 10, Row T
Sponsor
Triangle Women Veterans #144
Location
Honor Field A
