Area veterans honored by Caring Mission Home Care
Five area veterans were recently recognized for their service as part of Caring Mission Home Care’s “Because of You” campaign.
The program kicked off this year to honor veterans in Washington, Fayette, Greene and Allegheny counties.
“It was started this year as a gift of gratitude and appreciation to honor special veterans in our communities,” said Heather Marnik, community liaison for Caring Mission Home Care. “We service the veteran community and have a contract with the Veterans Association to provide care for veterans in their homes. We thought it would be nice to give back to veterans.”
Honorees were selected from among about 15 who were nominated based on their stories and community involvement.
The honorees are:
Omar Brooks, of Washington, who served in the U.S. Army from 1998-04. He was deployed for one tour in Iraq with the 3rd Infantry Division specializing in Air Defense Artillery. He and his wife, Nicole, formed VetPets in December 2020, which provides therapy/service and emotional support dogs for veterans and first responders.
Kimberly Katona, of Lemont Furnace, served in the U.S. Military for eight years. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Katona joined the Army National Guard and was deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon her military departure, she joined the American Legion and served at many levels from district, state and post. She is an active member of Rockabella, which raises funds for veterans, EMTs and police officers.
Clarence Allender, 97, of Washington, a veteran of the U.S. Army, which he entered in 1946.
Richard E. Moore, of Houston, served in the U.S. Navy from 1965-69 in Norfolk, Va., as an engineman aboard the USS Fremont. Moore completed three, six-month Mediterranean cruises during the Vietnam War.
Jim Miller, of Uniontown, served in the U.S. Army from 1969-71 in the Vietnam War. He received a number of awards for his service. In 2022, Miller started a backpack program, collecting backpacks, toiletries and supplies to fill backpacks for male and female homeless veterans and those who are struggling.
Each veteran received a gift that was suggested by the person who nominated that veteran.
“We consider it a token of our appreciation,” Marnik said. “It could be anything valued up to $250 per selected veteran.”