Indigenous Veterans Day, Remembrance Day and Veterans Day | This is me, Andrea

On Nov. 8, we observe National Indigenous Veterans Day in Canada and on Nov. 11 we commemorate Veterans Day and Remembrance Day in the U.S. and Canada. These dates honour those who have served and continue to serve our nations, while also remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. It is a moment to reflect on the courage and selflessness of those who dedicated their lives to protecting our countries.

Meet Andrea

I started with TC back in 2022 and manage the environmental and pipeline safety legal group. While I'm no longer an active member of the Army, I am an active member of our TC Vets Employee Inclusion Network, a mother and a firm believer in the law.

I have three children in Gr. 3, 4 and 5. Living in Houston is the first time that they haven't been a part of the military community - their father recently retired after 21 years of active-duty service as an Army Engineer officer. Seeing them thrive in their new community and extracurricular activities like baseball, scouting and guitar lessons brings me immense joy and pride - they know how to make friends quickly and are truly resilient! When I am not working or attending my children's various activities, I enjoy reading and have a knack for baking.

How it all began

The military life is no stranger to me; my dad and grandfather were both in the Navy (fun fact, my grandfather, a WWII veteran and Navy Captain, swore my dad in and then my dad helped swear me in!), but I originally had no intention of following in their footsteps after graduating. I had plans to work for an education nonprofit.

However, I was in Washington, DC, on 9/11 and unfortunately, I saw the smoke and fire from when the Pentagon got hit and it changed my path.

I went to law school with the intention of joining the military afterwards, and direct commissioned as an Army Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer1 immediately after I graduated. Imagine a young lawyer, straight out of school, handling cases ranging from administrative law to theft to murder. Admittedly, it was intense, but I was committed to making a difference.

One of the most challenging - but rewarding - experiences from my time in the Army was when I was deployed to Iraq from 2010 - 2011. As an operational law attorney for the northern half of the country, I worked with the Iraqi judges and police and the Iraqi Army to advise and assist on the rule of law transition. Thankfully, I had taken two semesters of Arabic courses in law school, so I was able to lean on my language skills at least a little. At the time, I was deployed with approximately 750 personnel from my division and only 33 of them, including me, were women. We lived on the military contingency operating base in containerized housing units. If we needed to attend meetings outside of the base, we took a helicopter for safety issues, even if it was relatively close by. We also worked six or seven days a week, sometimes 18 hours a day. We would work, go the gym and eat; Internet was super slow, so it made it even harder to keep in close contact with family and friends back home. However, I became really close friends with the other women and fellow captains; my time in Iraq was an incredibly transformative experience for me and it was eye opening to work with people from all walks of life.

Caption: Andrea (fifth from left) during her time in Iraq.

Life beyond active duty

My experiences in the military have shaped me into who I am today. They've taught me courage, resilience, and the importance of always standing up for what is right. Over the years, I've lived in fifteen states, including North Carolina, Virginia, Colorado, Kansas and California due to past military postings. In 2015 , in large part due to multiple knee and leg surgeries from service-related injuries, I transitioned to reserve duty , which was quite the change. Life outside the military is not as regimented, but I carry the lessons I've learned with me.

I think that a lot of what I do at TC really mirrors my experiences in the military because we have people coming from different countries and backgrounds who all work together. In the Army, if I wasn't in court, then I was advising commanders on the law and helping them make the best decision possible. Meanwhile, at TC, I still get to do what I really enjoy, which is to help leaders make tough choices- laying out the risks, giving them options and helping them make informed decisions.

Nov. 11 holds a special place in my heart as it is a day to honour the countless veterans who still walk among us, carrying the memories and legacies of their service. For me, I remember the friends I've served with or lost along the way whether due to suicide or by other causes. Their sacrifices reinforce the shared responsibility we all have to support our veterans. I honour their legacy by sharing their stories with my kids, participating in commemorative events like walks/runs and supporting my friends who are Gold Star spouses. I believe in the importance of not just remembering our past but learning from it, honouring the men and women who continue to serve our nation.

¹ An Army JAG officer is responsible for representing the Army and its soldiers in any military legal matters. It is also one of the U.S.'s largest law firms, and the oldest, established in 1775.

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