In partnership with the Veterans Coordination Commission, we are pleased to present the November, 2004 Veteran of the Month – Vanette J. VanDusen-Lopez.

Vanette J. VanDusen-Lopez entered the Army in Timber Lake in 1978 as a Finance Specialist. During her tenure she served in Bamberg, Frankfurt and Stuttgart Germany, served a hardship tour at Camp Casey Korea, just 15 miles from the DMZ which she traveled to twice a week as the Payment Supervisor. Vanette’s stateside assignments included Ft. Huachuca, Arizona, Ft. Riley, Kansas and Ft. Carson, Colorado where she retired in 1995, as Payroll/Accounting Manager with the rank of Sergeant First Class. As a retired veteran she is a true advocate of Veteran’s rights and benefits “Standing up for the Veteran” as a civilian and as a member of the retired community. Vanette is a member of TREA, DAV, VFW and the American Legion.

Vanette has been an active member of the Retired Enlisted Association, Rapid City Chapter 29 since 1995. She has served on the Board of Directors, attended the National Convention as a delegate, assisted in training for the TREA Honor Guard, helped with the Safe Halloween Program, solicited donations for the needs of Veteran’s and their spouses in the VA Home at Hot Springs and has been involved with many parades and ceremonies in Rapid City. She continues to serve our country while being employed at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Vanette married Johnny Lopez in 1983 in Sierra Vista, Arizona. They have two children – Sofia age 17 and Noah age 13. Vanette currently volunteers at the Salvation Army weekly and in the past has volunteered at the Rescue Mission Thrift Store in addition to helping serve Thanksgiving dinner at the Mission.