MIRECC / CoE

Anshel Bomberger
United States Army and Colorado Army National Guard
Sergeant
15 years of service

In the Regular Army (1982 - 1986), I served as a Television Broadcast Equipment Specialist (MOS 26T/25R). In the National Guard, I served in the 104th Public Affairs Detachment, as an Electronic Journalist (MOS 46R). I served overseas at Southern Command, Armed Forces Radio and Television, Fort Clayton, Republic of Panama. Upon my medical retirement from the military, I now serve as an Advocate for the LGBTQI+ community. I am committed to the life-long full recognition of equal rights of LGBTQI+.

Kaitlin Chacon
United States Air Force, Active Duty
Staff Sergeant
8 years of service

I proudly served in the United States Air Force from 2008-2016 as an aircraft armament systems specialist on F-16 & F-35 airframes. My primary responsibilities were loading munitions and maintaining weapon systems of aircraft systems in accordance with the mission at hand. My career took me to many countries and regions giving me a vast looking glass into people, culture, and the overall human experience. It wielded me to become a fast thinker, analytical and strategic and through that experience I became fascinated by the mind. After my service, I received my bachelor’s in psychology at the University of Colorado Denver and and am currently a psychology graduate student at the University of Kentucky. Currently, I continue serving our nation as an employee of the VA Palo Alto Health Care Systems and Adamson Laboratory at Stanford University as Lead Research Coordinator investigating research interests such as PTSD, TBI, trauma and Gulf War Illness.

Stephen Drop
United States Army and Iowa National Guard
Specialist
7 years of service

I served as a Combat Engineer throughout my time in the military and was deployed to Iraq in 2005 performing IED clearance. I am proud that I have gotten the opportunity to serve on the VEB, Center for Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE), in Iowa City and have been able to assist on this project.

Mark Flower
United States Army
Staff Sergeant
17 years of Active Duty and Reserves Service

I am a Captain John D. Mason peer-support specialist affiliated with the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. I have over 15 years’ experience working as a community and Veteran partner in research. I consult with the VA ASCEND study, Growing Rural Outreach through Veteran Engagement (GROVE), and volunteers for Disability Rights of Wisconsin. I am active in the SE Wisconsin/Milwaukee area Veterans community and co-founded Dryhootch of America, which partnered with the Medical College of Wisconsin to host the Warrior Summit for a number of years.

Patricia J. Hammon, RN, CVSO
United States Army Nurse Corps, Active Duty
1st LT.
4 years of service

I was very young, right out of nursing school when I went into active duty with the Army Nurse Corps. Being from New Jersey and having never been west of Ohio, I loved being assigned to the Presidio in San Francisco, but was quite shocked with the assignment to Vietnam. That tour ended up being a very meaningful experience for me and led to my work in emergency medicine and then in hospice nursing. I have been the County Veteran Service Officer for Eagle County for 12 years and find the work rewarding, challenging and inspiring. I am active with my local VFW, a Denver Women's post of the AML and I also serve as the Chairman of the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs and find the work statewide to be rewarding as well.

Randall Jones
United States Army and Iowa National Guard
Staff Sergeant
21 years of service

I am the Assistant Chief of sterile processing here at the Iowa City VA hospital. The Vice President of Membership in Speaking of Service Toastmaster’s club. A Veteran of the US Army with two tours of combat. I’m affiliated with Chicago State University. Also, a former actor, entrepreneur and Registered Surgical First Assistant. I feel very passionate about Veteran research, and proud member of the Center for Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE).

Paul Nolan, Jr.
United States Army, Specialist 4th class
Marine Corps Corporal
8 years of service

My name is John Paul Nolan, Jr. I served as a soldier in the Army, a Marine in the Corps, and a Correctional Officer/911 Dispatcher. As a survivor of PTSD incurred during service in the Marine Corps prior to and during the Gulf War, my interest is multifaceted in how I can improve my own quality of life, while making services available to peers, clinicians, providers and caregivers, who desperately need any support available. As a direct beneficiary of peer advice and guidance in the massive entity that is the Veterans Health Administration, I believe in this work and stand ready to assist. I reside in El Dorado, Arkansas with my wife of 22 years and our daughter.

Camille Parham
United States Army
Specialist E5
6 years Active Duty, 4 years Reserve

I am an Army Veteran who served 6 Years active duty – 4 years Reserve. I am the owner of Ming’s House of Millinery Fashion and GreenLite Grow Farms both located in North Carolina. Since leaving the military I earned a Master’s Degree in Human Services from Lincoln University PA and completed Ph.D. course work in Industrial Psychology from Walden University MN. I enjoy working with Veteran Engagement Panels (VEPs) that address ways to better improve access to services for Veterans and Veteran caregivers. Currently, I serve on two VEPs. Working with ASCEND for suicide prevention and the Veteran Research Engagement Panel (VetRep) keeps me connected with the current issues and concerns that impact all Veterans.

- Randall Jones

- Patricia Hammon

- Camille Parham

- Kaitlin Chacon

- Mark Flower

- Anshel Bomberger