Teaming up to raise $20,000 for The Independence Fund, the Delta Theta Chapter at Georgia Southern University, the Delta Phi Chapter at Jacksonville State University, and the Zeta Kappa Chapter at the University of West Georgia presented a track wheelchair to U.S. veteran Karen Dery during the Georgia Southern football game on Saturday, September 25, 2021.
“I am so grateful to Park the rest of the KA Order for their amazing gift of the trackchair,” said Dery. “The chair is going to open so many options for me, especially hiking, which I dearly miss. I am very grateful to The Independence Fund for making this all possible.”
Dery joined the active Army in 1983 because she needed a job. After getting through military school, she realized she loved the life, comradery, and experiences that it provided. After leaving active duty, she joined the Air Force National Guard. She was stationed with the Milwaukee unit when she was deployed to Desert Storm and spent 3.5 months in Egypt in a refueling unit as the commander’s secretary. Karen deployed multiple times in support of Enduring Freedom. She continued to serve until 2004 when she was released for early medical retirement due to service-related Multiple Sclerosis. During her tenure, she worked as administration, personnel, flight line management, radar technician and crew communications.
“Our chapter is grateful to be a small part of Karen’s life,” said Park Gaskin (Delta Theta–Georgia Southern ’18), Number I (President) of the Delta Theta Chapter. “There is no greater joy for us than to be able to give back to the people who have given so much for our freedom.”
