IN THE pitch-black darkness of an Iraqi night, with the desert sand swirling around her, Syrenna Patrick found herself in a surreal moment of clarity. Bullets zipped through the air, mirroring the disarray of war. Even through the chaos, she felt a surge of determination unlike any she had known before. This wasn’t just about survival. It was about honor, duty, and a promise she made to herself long ago.
As she returned to her tent, her mind flashed back to the humble beginnings that shaped her into the empowered woman she had become. Memories of…her mother, Elizabeth “Ms. Ritty” Holman, and her…and her relentless love and the struggles of raising 12 children flooded her thoughts, grounding her in purpose.
Patrick’s determination grew stronger with each burst of gunfire. She was fighting for her country and to honor the sacrifices of those who came before her. At that moment, she knew she had found her calling.
“It wasn’t a very lavish upbringing. We struggled,” Patrick began. “Of course, with 12 children, you’re going to struggle as a single mom.”
Patrick’s childhood wasn’t always easy, but she knew she could always depend on the warmth of her family and her mother’s guidance.
As she grew older, she realized that one day, she would need to support her mother and give back the love and support her mother selflessly gave her children.
Patrick watched four of her older brothers proudly answer the call to serve and weighed her own options and decisions about joining the military. She felt hopeful and thoughtful about the opportunities that lay ahead.
“Watching my mom struggling just to make ends meet, I started wondering, ‘Okay, so what can I do to make my life better?’”
As she contemplated the idea of joining the military, a strong sense of purpose took hold of her. At 18, she walked confidently into a recruiting office with a hopeful heart and determined spirit.
Patrick thrived during her basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Her intelligence and natural leadership qualities shone through, and she excelled in her new life.
“It was one of the best times of my life,” she said. “I would not take this part of my military journey back for anything in the world. I met some wonderful people and made some great friends. I learned a trade, and it was just a great experience for me.”
Even after she embarked on this newfound journey, she held on tight to the promise she made to herself before she left home. With each crisp paycheck clutched in her hand, she’d peel off a portion as a meaningful tribute for her mother’s countless sacrifices. It fulfilled a dream she’d carried close to her heart since her teenage years.
After marrying her former husband, they moved to California, but their relationship ended shortly after their move. Determined to prioritize raising her two sons, she returned to Tennessee. She faced a brief period of uncertainty until 2001 when she made another courageous decision to join the Tennessee National Guard. This was one of the most impactful and challenging experiences of her life.
“In 2003, our unit was deployed to Iraq.”
Despite her fear and uncertainty during her deployment, the peace she found in the presence of her brother, who was deployed alongside her, provided a sense of comfort and familiarity that she longed for.
Patrick’s leadership skills flourished during that time, and she credits her time in the military for developing them. For her, leadership means leading by example. She made split-second decisions under pressure, and her naturally calm demeanor and courage were a source of strength for her and her team.
“You have to be able to pull people behind you up the same ladder you’re climbing,” she explained. “I’ve had to walk with people and teach them how to be leaders, not only in the military sector but also in my civilian job as a supervisor.”
Just three days into her deployment, she received the shocking news of her mother’s passing. The pain of losing her while being thousands of miles away weighed heavily on her heart. Yet, even amid her grief, she had to press on and fulfill her duties. Upon returning home from deployment, Patrick resumed her civilian job and retired in January 2024.
Last year, Patrick spoke at a veterans program in Winchester. There, she shared her military experience with many young members of the community.
Today, Patrick strives to ensure that veterans, especially African American veterans who face unique challenges upon returning home, have the support they deserve. She listens to their anxieties, shares her own experiences, and is always willing to guide them toward the resources they need to thrive. She also offers a hand-up, a connection to a community that understands their unseen burdens.
Patrick’s journey is far from over, and she is committed to making an even greater impact on the lives of veterans all over the community by advocating for them.
“I would love to see more awareness and more communication between veterans. Now that I’m retired, I have more time to get involved in the veteran community.” GN
