Veteran of the Month

USAF Veteran Captain Patti J. Lansmon

The REMEMBERaVET.net Veteran of the Month for July-August, 2009 represents the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

  Patricia (Patti) J. Lansmon was born on October 22, 1955 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  She attended school in Cape Girardeau, graduating from high school in 1974.  She then attended Southeast Missouri State University, graduating cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

Patti taught elementary school in Caruthersville, MO from August 1978 to May of 1979. She also taught school in New Hamberg, MO for two additional years. 

Having a desire to serve her country, Patti enrolled in the ROTC program at Southeast Missouri State University, as well as a masters program in Guidance and Counseling. 

Upon receiving her masters’ degree, she was commissioned into the U. S. Air Force on October 3, 1983.  Patti’s first duty assignment was at Griffis Air Force base in upstate New York.  While in that location, and when able to temporarily break away from her military obligation, Patti enjoyed such activities as downhill snow skiing, cross-country snow skiing, and other winter sports.

  Her duties at Griffis included being the COMSEC officer for the 24^thAir Force Division (no light duty, mind you).  When recalling the most embarrassing moment of her career, Patti tells of an incident that took place during an exercise in which she released the DEFCON (Defense Condition) level to someone on the phone (which turned out to be her boss) and he “bead-windowed”* her immediately.  This means that she released information which should have not been given out over the phone (even if your boss tricks you into it)….  She told her boss that she could handle being fired, but he told her that would not be necessary. 

For the better part of four years after fulfilling her obligation as a COMSEC officer, Patti served as a Captain in the Education and Training Offices.  She earned a Commendation Medal, the Air force Longevity Service Award Ribbon and the Air Force Training Ribbon.  She was honorably discharged on March 1, 1988.

  It is with great honor and appreciation that we recognize Ms. Patti J. Lansmon as the REMEMBERaVET.net Veteran of the Month for the Month of July-August, 2009.

 THANK YOU for your service to your country, our families, and our communities. Your service will not be forgotten, and we appreciate your efforts to help secure our freedom.

Eternally Grateful,

Regis “Randy” Riney

Founder and President

REMEMBERaVET.net

* BEADWINDOW is a real-time procedure used to  alert circuit operators that an unauthorized disclosure  has occurred over a nonsecured circuit. BEADWINDOW also warns other operators on the net  of the disclosure. This serves as an educational aid. Thelong-term benefits of the BEADWINDOW procedure  include an increased awareness of the proper use of voice circuits.