By Sarah Martin
American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region Communications Manager

SALT LAKE CITY — This Women Veterans Day we at the American Red Cross are eager to thank and highlight the many, many women who volunteer their time with us after long careers in the U.S. Military. Their military service spans every branch, rank and station, and their unique skillsets make them invaluable members of our volunteer staff. 

Today we highlight one special volunteer: Captain Andrea Tatkon-Coker. Andrea has volunteered with the American Red Cross caring for veterans and active service members since she retired from the military herself in 1980. She medically retired as a Captain in the Air Force—after serving in the Army as a Community Health Nurse and then in the Air Force. But her training didn’t stop there. Andera has a doctorate in healthcare administration and four master’s degrees in nursing, public health, and psychiatric care. “I have a responsibility to support my community. I have this skill set, why not use it?”

Now Andrea uses those skills as a psychiatric nurse and her personal experience in the military to lead Resiliency Workshops across the Utah and Nevada Region. “When you retire, you don’t really leave the military. You keep those connections, those relationships. I feel like I have to pay back my community, to use the skills that I have to make my community better,” Andrea explained. 

Andrea lives in Cache Valley Utah, but travels throughout the Salt Lake Valley and to Reno, Nevada, to teach these workshops to Veterans, Active Military personnel, and their family members. She teaches classes like Mind and Body, Diffusing Anger, Dealing with Stress, and more in order, “to help Veterans and their families deal with the day-to-day stressors of a military life."

Andrea understands those stressors first-hand and she says that experience makes her a more effective teacher. Andrea medically retired from the military because of significant health concerns; she uses braces and crutches to walk, and she still uses the VA for regular treatment. She travels almost 2 hours multiple times a month to her nearest VA hospital and takes advantage of canteen and other privileges at Hill Air Force Base whenever possible. 

“Because I’m a veteran and use veterans services like the VA, people are more responsive to me. They know I understand.” Andrea says the fact that her disability is so visible is actually a real benefit in these spaces; the service members can see her struggle and are more willing to open up about their own. 

She says there’s an added benefit to being a Woman Veteran; “Being a female in these spaces, the wives and caretakers who come with their military members feel more comfortable and are more willing to open up.”

Andrea is nearly 69 years old and says she doesn’t plan on stopping her volunteer service any time soon. “It’s not a job, it’s a process of giving back.” She says her time with the Red Cross and the Veterans we serve, “Gives purpose, it gives care, it’s important.” She encourages all retires with skills to share to give volunteering a try, “Volunteering doesn’t mean for life—try it out! Go slow and see if you like it. Then commit to what’s comfortable for you.”

We are honored and grateful Captain Andrea Tatkon-Coker volunteers her time here at the Red Cross and we thank her for her Military Service and her volunteer service on this Women Veterans Day.

Learn more ways to help your community and beyond
Use your unique skill set to serve your community. Discover volunteer opportunities at redcross.org/volunteer.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.