Serving two tours in the Middle East is no small feat.  On a day that the first woman mayor was sworn in at the Jacoby Center in Jacksonville, Florida, I met and talked with another woman trailblazer, Commander, Toshiko Moultrie of Duval County who did just that.  She was a part of two tours; Operation Enduring Freedom and the war with Iraq while serving in the Army.

Toshiko Moultrie served in the U.S. Army (Photo: Ramey)

According to the Navy Military site, Operation Enduring Freedom “officially began 7 October 2001 with American and British bombing strikes against al-Qaeda and Taliban forces in Afghanistan. Initially, the Taliban was removed from power and al-Qaeda was seriously crippled, but forces continually dealt with a stubborn Taliban insurgency, infrastructure rebuilding and corruption among the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, and Afghan Border Police.”  This campaign was in “response to the September 11, 2002 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people” in New York City.

 Not only did Moultrie serve in Afghanistan but she also served in Iraq.  Based on information from several sources including Wikipedia, “The United States officially declared its combat role in Iraq over on 31 August 2010, although several thousand troops remained in the country until all American troops were withdrawn from Iraq by December 2011; meanwhile, American troops also engaged in combat with Iraqi insurgents. In June 2014, however, US forces returned to Iraq due to an escalation of instability in the region, and in June 2015, the number of American ground troops totaled 3,550. Between December 2011 and June 2014, Department of Defense officials estimated that there were 200 to 300 personnel based at the US embassy in Baghdad.

 Moultrie was in the military from February 27, 1987 until her retirement on January 31, 2023.

Her service has not stopped even yet as she serves at her local American Legion post # 197. The American Legion is known for its service to veterans and their families.  It provides assistance with rehabilitation, PTSD concerns, VA services, family relocations, housing and other military related needs.  Post # 197 also partners with Blue Cross Blue Shield, The Mayo Clinic and other businesses willing to assist those in the military.

Honors to her and those who have been willing to serve.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Sources:   Navy. Mil, Wikipedia