Karleen Susan Savidge served in the United States Army and achieved the rank of Sergeant E-5.

She completed her basic training in 1976. Her advanced training took place at Redstone Arsenal in Ammo Storage. Ms. Savidge was awarded a primary MOS of 71L10, Administrative Specialist. In October 1978, she was assigned as a Unit Clerk with the 332nd Ordnance Battalion with a primary MOS 75B20. Other duties included serving as an Alternate Mail Clerk and service on the Race Relations/Equal Opportunity Council. Since she served as the Battalion Unit Clerk, Ms. Savidge traveled to subordinate units, 309th Ordnance Company and 962nd Ordnance Company, to assist them with administrative records problems. She also completed a Re-enlistment, Retention NCO Course in 1985. She was honorably medically disqualified for retention in 1986 after 10 years of service.

Ms.Savidge was awarded the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal W/OLC, Army Service Ribbon, NCO Professional Development, and Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon for service in the Federal Republic of Germany. She also received three Letters of Appreciation from units she assisted and earned credit for participation in military exercises known as MOBEX and LOGEX. Ms. Savidge was awarded a Certificate of Achievement from 2nd Support Command (Corps) USA and Europe Seventh Army and qualified for a Sharpshooter Badge.

Her area of responsibility always received an inspection of satisfactory or better from higher headquarters. Ms. Savidge assisted other units that had administrative problems, which led to every unit passing inspection.

Upon leaving the military, Ms. Savidge joined the Barben-Jones Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1400 Auxiliary on November 3, 2008. She served as the Jr. Vice President for one year and then as the President for 10 years. Ms. Savidge managed the VFW Dining Room for Military Parties and used skills she learned in the military to help the VFW function more efficiently. During these years, she also helped her husband run their radio station and bookstore and manage 241 units of property.

Today, Ms. Savidge’s greatest joy is still serving other veterans at the Barben-Jones VFW Post 1400 and the American Legion Post 61 in Watertown. She is an Officer at both Posts.

Ms. Savidge will never let her camaraderie with other veterans come to an end and will always be there for them!