WHO AM I
	My name is Monika and I am attending Highline Community College, where I am  majoring in Political Science.  I want to work on veteran affairs after college.  I have been involved in my local community for many years.  I was a member of the Decatur High School Key Club. I am an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 969, Tacoma, Washington, where I served as the Junior Vice President for the 2006-2007 year.  I am currently the Americanism Committee Chair for the Ladies Auxiliary.  I was also a Girl Scout from the age of 5.  I earned my Silver Award as a Cadette and my Gold Award as a Senior scout. Over the years as part of my community involvement I have earned the following awards: 1.  The Presidents Volunteer Service Award-Gold Medal in 2002 for my project collecting sports equipment for Foster Kids. 2.  The Presidents Volunteer Service Award-Gold Medal in 2004 for completing over 300 community service hours. 3.  The Presidents Volunteer Service Award-Silver Medal in 2005 for completing over 100 community service hours 4.  The Presidents Volunteer Service Award-Gold Medal in 2006 for completing over 300 community service hours. 5.  The Presidents Volunteer Service Award-Gold Medal in 2007 for completing over 300 community service hours. In 2003 I started working on the Congressional Award.  This award challenges you to reach goals in four different areas:  Volunteer Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness and Expedition/Exploration.  The award comes in two levels:  Bronze, Silver and Gold Certificates and Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals.  To learn more about this award go to www.congressionalaward.org.  In 2003 I completed the requirements to receive the Bronze, Silver and Gold Certificates.  In 2004 I completed the requirements to receive the Bronze Medal and in 2005 I completed the requirements fo receive the Silver Medal.  In December 2006 I completed the requirements for the Gold Medal and I received the award at a ceremony in Washington DC on June 19, 2007 On December 10, 2005 I received my Girl Scout Gold Award.  The Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can earn.  It was a special day for me because I was able to celebrate with family and friends. I have a strong committment in supporting our troops since I come from a military family.  My father served in the Navy and my mother served in the Army.  I have involved in sending care packages to troops since I had family members and friends serving in the war zone over the last two years.  I am lucky because all of our family and friends came home safe but many soldiers have not so that is why I decided to start this wounded soldier project.