From left, State Regent of the Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution Charlotte Reynolds; Regent of the Judge David Campbell Chapter, Stacy Kehoe; and Mrs. Aubrey Williams, Veteran and Project Patriot State chairman
The Judge David Campbell Chapter of Chattanooga nominated Stacy Kehoe back in October of 2017 as the Outstanding DAR Service for Veterans Award nominee. At the Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution State Conference, held in Franklin, Ms. Kehoe was presented the award.
According to the DAR.org website, "the Outstanding DAR Service for Veterans Award is presented to a DAR member in recognition of outstanding care given to veterans in any of the following areas: Department of Veterans Affairs’ facilities, state veterans’ facilities, nursing homes, shelters, and outpatient clinics. The outstanding NSDAR volunteer has given more than her time. She has made meaningful contributions to veterans through creative and resourceful outreach."
Ms. Kehoe’s many accomplishments within the veteran community were noted. She joined the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps in April of 2008. This brought military exposure into her life. She volunteered on a monthly basis with active duty, reserved, and veterans through their kids’ lives. She volunteered in a wide-range of activities such as color guards, community service in collecting food and clothing for the military, offering free formal dresses for reservists for their military balls, and collections of household items as homeless veterans moved into housing. During this time with the USNSCC, Stacy Kehoe started two new Sea Cadet divisions. She is now the assistant regional director for Region 6-6. She also became a member of the Greater Chattanooga Navy League Council and eventually joined the Executive Board as their current vice president, secretary, and Youth Program director.
Stacy joined the Judge David Campbell Chapter in 2011 and is the current regent. She is a part of the Veteran and Project Patriot Committees. Other organizations that she belongs to that correlate with veterans are the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council and the Southeast TN Veterans Homeless Coalition. For the past six years, she has been a committee member on the Armed Forces Day Parade Committee. Stacy is also a part of the Navy Ball Committee.
Last year, she was awarded the Seven Seals Award by Employer Support to Guard and Reserve, the leading Department of Defense program promoting cooperation and understanding between civilian employers and their National Guard and Reserve employees. This award is the broadest and most inclusive award given at the discretion of the State Chair or by ESGR senior leadership. In 2012 and 2015, she was also awarded the Charles H. Coolidge Associate Member Awards for her continued efforts in volunteering with veterans and forever changing lives.
Last year, four new homes were built in Chattanooga designated for homeless and disabled people. Veterans were given top priority for these homes and Ms. Kehoe set up a registry so the Judge David Campbell Chapter and community-wide members could purchase kitchen and bathroom items so these families could begin anew. She was instrumental in collecting clothes, furniture, other household items, and food for these new families. To this date, she still is in contact with the families on a monthly basis to see if there are any needs they may have.
Since Ms. Kehoe is the regent for the Judge David Campbell Chapter, 1st Vice Regent Susan Lindsey wrote and signed the nomination form.
Ms. Kehoe said, “I am truly humbled and honored to be awarded this award. Ten years ago, my life forever changed when I entered the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps and had my initial contact into military life. As a civilian, I really had no idea what our military went through on a daily basis with their military careers, families, and community service. When I became a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and joined the Judge David Campbell Chapter, my life took on an increased presence in patriotism. I came to know a lot of patriotic women who have given sacrificially for God, Home, and Country. It always gives me great pleasure to give back to our veterans, who have sacrificed so much for all of us. I especially want to thank my husband, Dan and our two children, who have been my support throughout these years. Without their support, I would have never been able to accomplish all that I have without them. After living here for the past 17 years, Chattanooga has become my home away from home, and I am proud to be here.”