Col. Many-Bears Grinder volunteered to leave her state-side duty to serve in Afghanistan. She told women veterans why she felt she had to volunteer to go.
Listen to her comments: ManyBearsWhyIWent16Nov2011
Veterans Affairs Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder is an Operation Enduring Freedom Combat Veteran who served more than ten months in Afghanistan. She holds the Legion of Merit and a Bronze Star.
"I've always loved taking care of soldiers," Commissioner Grinder told women veterans and active duty personnel. "When Gov. Haslam asked if I wanted to advocate for TN veterans, I only had to think about it for a millisecond. What a dream job. So rewarding."
She advocates for Tennessee veterans claims with the federal government, securing $822 million federal dollars for Tennessee veterans in the last fiscal year. Commissioner Grinder also maintains the state's three veterans homes and four cemeteries. She is the first woman ever to serve as commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs in Tennessee.
Many-Bears Grinder retired as a Colonel from the Tennessee Army National Guard with over 35 years service in logistics and personnel. Grinder's first name was originally a nickname that stuck, so she legally changed her name to Many-Bears. She is married to Ernie Grinder, a Vietnam veteran and her father earned his U.S. citizenship with his Navy service in WW II.
The Women’s Political Collaborative of Tennessee invited Commissioner Grinder to speak to salute Tennessee's women veterans. "I will do everything I can to help people make sure your service is never forgotten," she told the women veterans at a luncheon held in their honor. "I often find veterans who don't know they are entitled to benefits. Worrying about those who don't know keeps me up at night." She plans a broader outreach through a Women Veterans Summit in April 2012.
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