JACKIE GREENWOOD was born into a family of patriots. Her family heritage includes at least one member who served in every major American conflict, beginning with the Revolutionary War. Her grandfather, Marion Brown, served during World War I, and her grandfather-in-law, Emmett Edwards, served during World War II.
Greenwood’s stepfather, Martin Hall, affectionately known as “Pops’’, is a Marine who served in Vietnam, and her husband, Jason Greenwood, also a Marine, served in Desert Storm. Their grandson, Elijah Navarrette, is currently deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border — he, too, is a Marine.
As the assistant veterans service officer for Lincoln County, Greenwood helps veterans from all branches of the military. It is her dream job. For Greenwood, spending time with veterans and getting to know them is one of the best parts of the role.
“I’m not partial to Marines,” she said, “but I was born on Nov. 10 and share a birthday with the Marine Corps.”
Greenwood’s interest in all things military extends beyond her daily job. An avid history buff, she enjoys reading about the social aspects of life during World War II.
“When I read the stories of people who lived during this time, I think about their lives,” she said, “I wonder what motivated them to enlist or not.”
When Greenwood was in college, she took a music appreciation class. For her final project, she featured John Philip Sousa, the American composer and conductor best known for “The Stars and Stripes Forever” and other U.S. military marches.
She also enjoys quilting and keeps a World War II–themed quilt in her office. Along with Martha Knowles, Greenwood helped piece together the first Quilt of Valor presented to Ronda Asta, Lincoln County’s first female veteran to receive the honor.
“Quilts of Valor is what sparked my interest in quilting,” she said. “We were able to award three females with Quilts of Valor. Sometimes women are a forgotten demographic.”
Greenwood’s interest in all things military is extensive, but her love of helping people, especially veterans, is paramount.
“Veterans have my heart,” she said. “Our mother taught us that serving others is serving God. To do this job is a blessing.”
Greenwood works alongside Veterans Services Officer Tammy McConnell. She credits McConnell for establishing an excellent system to quickly meet veterans’ needs.
“My job involves the intake process, gathering information, and placing the veteran into the system,” Greenwood said. “I work with death benefits and help the spouses of veterans who have passed away, but Tammy works more extensively with helping the veterans receive compensation and other medical benefits. Her teaching methods are phenomenal.”
The Lincoln County office serves approximately 3,000 veterans and dependents. In addition to helping veterans with benefits and compensation, McConnell and Greenwood also assist veterans with transportation to hospitals in Murfreesboro and Nashville.
One of Greenwood’s primary concerns is making veterans aware of their entitlements. Many of them, especially Vietnam veterans, don’t talk about their experiences. Many are reluctant to seek help, choosing to go about their lives quietly without calling attention to themselves or to the unpopular war in which they were called to fight.
“My Pops is a Vietnam War veteran. He is a very serious man, a man who lives in a world of black and white, right and wrong. He is a strong man with strong morals and strong rules, but he is also a very loving man,” Greenwood said. “But he never talked about his military experiences.”
According to Greenwood, remaining silent is not uncommon for veterans, especially those from the Vietnam era. These veterans did not receive the support other soldiers did when they returned from war. As a result, they were met with undeserved feelings of shame or guilt.
She remembers working with one particular Vietnam veteran who had spent years dealing with undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the nightmares and the frustration that came with having no one else who understood their grief and pain. Once she and McConnell were able to get the man into the system, he was properly diagnosed with PTSD and became eligible for the benefits he deserved. He didn’t realize he was suffering from trauma.
“He was just a boy when he entered the war, and yet he had to live an unspeakable reality,” Greenwood said. “My heart was broken when I heard him crying in the office. He had finally realized the anger, confusion, grief, and guilt he felt were justified.”
This situation fueled Greenwood’s fire to be dogmatic in her fight for veterans. She encourages all Lincoln County veterans who may be entitled to benefits to call the office for more information.
“Many people believe that to receive benefits, veterans must have served in a war,” she said, “but that’s not true — anyone who served in any branch of the military may be eligible for some type of benefit.”
For Greenwood, helping veterans receive the benefits they deserve is one way she shows gratitude to the men and women who served. GN
Veterans who wish to make an appointment with the Veterans Service Office may call (931) 433-1897. The office is located at 208 E. Davidson St. in Fayetteville and is open for appointments from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
