In 2020, the Suffolk County Legislature unanimously approved a bill designating June 12th as Women Veterans Appreciation Day, in Suffolk County. In commemoration of the Third Annual Women Veterans Appreciation Day, each Legislator was asked to select a female veteran from their district to honor.
On Friday June 10th, a virtual ceremony took place for all Legislative honorees. It was my pleasure to celebrate with our 10th Legislative District 2022 Women Veteran honoree, Joanne Guerra, members of the 12144 Veterans Post and Allan Gorman, the Mayor of Islandia. Joanne Guerra served in the United States Army for eight years and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009. She also deployed in 2012 as a Human Intelligence Collector. Joanne mentored and led Soldiers as a Non-Commissioned Officer, participated in over 300 combat patrols and conducted over 900 interrogations a strategic level detention facility.
Joanne Guerra, a life-long resident of New York, graduated from Central Islip High School in 2007. In 2016, Joanne received her Bachelor of Science in Fire Science, following her time in the Army. In 2021, she received her Master of Science in Sustainability. Joanne currently works as a Supervising Inspector for the New York City Fire Department, conducting site safety inspections for the Public Building’s Unit which focuses on schools and daycares. Joanne believes that life and safety is everyone’s responsibility. I would like to thank Joanne Guerra and all United States Women Veteran’s for your dedicated service, as it will never go unnoticed.