Published: June 09, 2008 10:37 am      

MHS graduate Beed promoted to Lt. Colonel

Donna E. Beed, a 1982 McAlester High School alumnus, was promoted to lieutenant colonel in a ceremony at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on April 11 in the Vorder Bruegge Auditorium.

The presiding official was the Walter Reed Army Medical Center Brigage Commander, Col. Ronald A. Hamilton. Master Sgt. Kathy Smith, First Sergeant, 507th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base of Oklahoma, was the narrator for the ceremony.

The ceremony began with the singing of the national anthem by Elliot Smith, followed by a Scripture and the invocation by the Rev. Louis B. Jones II, pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.

After remarks by Col. Hamilton, the orders were published and Major Beed was officially promoted to lieutenant colonel by her mother, Myrtle Beed, her sister, Lenora Johnson, her uncle, Ret. Lt. Gen. Russell C. Davis, and Ret. Sgt. First Class Denice Shaughnessey.

The honoree gave remarks and acknowledged her gratitude to those who have been an integral part of her life and career.

Lauren Dance sang Mariah Carey’s “Hero” as a dedication to Lt. Col. Beed’s family and friends to close the ceremony.

Lt. Col. Beed’s family and a multitude of friends were in attendance for the event. A reception and promotion party was held following the ceremony.

Lt. Col. Beed was commissioned in 1990 through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at Cameron University in Lawton. Military schools she attended include Medical Service Corps Office basic and advanced courses, Combined Armed Services Staff College, Command and General Staff College, Basic Acquisitions Course, Master Fitness Trainer’s Course, and Airborne School.

She is currently serving as the Information Assurance manager for the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Prior assignments have included a plethora of positions from the S6 for the 47th Combat Support Hospital in Iraq to the Executive Office for the United States Army Medical Information Technology Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Lt. Col. Beed’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Services medal (20LC), Army Commendation medal (10LC), National Defense Service Medal (with star device), Iraq Campaign medal; Korean Defense Service medal; Armed Forces Reserve medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (second award), Meritorious Unit Citation and the Army Superior Unit Award. She also wears the Parachutist Badge.

Lt. Col. Beed will be leaving the Washington, D.C. area for Hawaii in August, where she will be chief information officer for the Pacific Regional Command and Tripler Army Medical Center.