BREWER — Judy Carroll, a 1969 graduate of Brewer High School and a 1973 graduate of the University of Maine, was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame on Oct. 24. Carroll served in the Army for 30 years, working in the military police and international relations fields. She was the first woman to receive a commission at the University of Maine. She retired as a colonel in 2002 after many accomplishments. She was the first woman to serve as a provost marshal (chief of police) in Europe and the first female to serve as an honor guard commander. Some of her most distinguishing assignments include working with Eastern European countries in their transition to democracy after the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact; planning and commanding the prisoner of war operations for the United States, Great Britain and France; and providing VIP security for Pope John Paul ll. Since her retirement she has lived in Arizona and has volunteered her time helping her community.
Carroll is a member of the Disabled American Veterans, and develops and manages programs to support other veterans. She serves as the community coordinator, chairs the fundraising committee and is vice chair of the membership committee. She represents that organization at high level community and veteran events. She coordinates projects with Sierra Vista and Fort Huachuca organizations and spearheads initiatives to provide better support to homeless and low-income veterans. Her programs have helped to refocus community efforts on these veterans. Carroll is a member of the Women’s Army Corps Veterans Association where she participates in fundraising and community welfare activity programs to help children in need get food and warm clothing. She supports of Project Graduation to help keep high school graduates in a safe environment.
As a result of her volunteer efforts, Carroll has received a DAV Commander’s Award and two DAV Distinguished Service Awards. She also was selected as the Arizona DAV Veteran of the Year in 2011.
The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame recognizes Arizonans who have worn the uniform of U.S. Armed Forces, performed their military duties and continued to contribute to their community, state and nation in an exemplary manner. In a state of more than 600,000 veterans, approximately 20 veterans are selected to receive the highest honor awarded by the state of Arizona and its governor — induction into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame.
Carroll lives in Sierra Vista, Arizona, in the winter and in Ellsworth in the summer.