WASHINGTON — After nearly three decades of medical military service in the District of Columbia Army National Guard (DCNG), Lt. Col. Monika R. Graham closed the chapter on a long, storied career of dedicated service and compassion during a retirement ceremony held at the DCNG Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Graham, who served 27 years, retired as the deputy commander of the medical detachment. She received her retirement orders which are effective as of Feb. 26.
“I never would have thought in my wildest dreams, that I would join the U.S. Army. I never said, ‘I think I’ll join the Army,’” Graham told a packed room of guests in the ceremonial conference room.
Graham received several awards for her distinguished service and countless achievements through her career. Among them is Legion of Merit, presented by the DCNG adjutant general, Brig. Gen. Renwick L. Payne, for outstanding service. She also received the DCNG Meritorious Service Medal, presented by the land component commander, Brig. Gen. William Walker, for distinguished service.
The 74th Troop Command Sgt. Maj. Terrance Smith, presented her with a “Minuteman” award for loyal and meritorious service from February 1989 through February 2016.
“Lt. Col. Monika Graham has certainly demonstrated her worth and her extreme value to the D.C. National Guard as have the women of the Army Nurses Corps. They provide a tremendous amount of value to our service men and women, and increase our readiness,” Smith said. “Today, we lose a great one, but I am sure she has trained many [potential] replacements to support us in the future.”
Maj. Muriel Kennedy, the behavioral health officer for the medical detachment, described Graham as a “fair and compassionate leader.”
“She has a strong work ethic and really cares about the Soldiers. She is very warm and compassionate, and she makes sure that persons’ needs are being met at the highest level,” she said.
Kennedy said Graham’s leadership ensured that Soldiers under her command were set up for success.
“When it comes to rating, she wants to give you what you deserve and give you the best rating within her capacity, based on your skills, who you are, and how you perform. She just wants her evaluations to mirror that,” Kennedy said.
“She really does what she does with a sense of integrity. I truly value her and the many ways she has contributed to my growth and development during my short time here at the D.C. Army National Guard,” Kennedy said.
Capt. Katherine Whitehead, one of the guests at the ceremony, praised Graham’s leadership and guidance.
“Lt. Col. Graham is the best; she was my supervisor while I was here in the D.C. National Guard. She is an awesome officer and is always there to take care of her Soldiers and provide support,” she said.
During her career, Graham served as the nurse for different military youth programs including the DCNG Youth ChalleNGe Program where she taught health classes and provided 24-hour medical care. Graham served on active duty to support the Dewitt Army Community Hospital at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, during Operation Desert Storm, and also traveled to Vilseck, Germany, where she provided nursing care to Soldiers and their families at the Vilseck Army Health Clinic there.