Congresswoman McSally presents a certificate to Colonel Peggy McGee who is holding the award plaque; photo by John McGee.
Colonel Peggy McGee, U.S. Army Retired, was recently presented the Veteran of Distinction award by Congresswoman Martha McSally. This annual award is presented to veterans who have continued to serve their communities through volunteer service.
Prior to her retirement in 1996, Peggy served 30 years with both U.S. Army active and reserve components. During her years of active duty she was one of the first women, and the first in the state of California, to be assigned to Death Notification and Survivor Assistance duties. During Operation Desert Storm, she returned to active duty and was assigned to the U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center.
Since her retirement from the Department of Veterans Affairs and move to Quail Creek in 2005, she has been active in community service – her friends and family wonder if she ever sleeps. As president of The Women of Quail Creek, she conceived an idea for a clothing drive for homeless veterans in Tucson. In its first year the program utilized three vehicles to deliver items to the VA Medical Center; in 2015 it required 22 cars and a panel truck. Her dedication to the program was recognized nationally as one of the 10 best by the Paul Newman Foundation for the annual Make-a-Difference Day Program, which awarded $10K to the Tucson Homeless Veterans program.
Peggy also volunteers her time at San Martin de Porres Church, as a financial educator for Valley Assistance Services, as a tax preparer for AARP and as treasurer and public affairs liaison for the Green Valley Chapters of the Military Officers Association and the Community Emergency Response Team. She is on the board of TWOQC for which she served as president for six and a half years and also writes articles about the Lady Putters.