On May 17, 99-year-old Millie Dunn Veasey was recognized in the N.C. Senate by Sen. Tom McInnis for her incredible accomplishments, perseverance and lifelong devotion to her country.
In 1942 Veasey volunteered to go to war, serving faithfully in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. She was sent to the European theater where she worked in both England and France, returning home in 1945 as a staff sergeant. She then enrolled at Saint Augustine’s College where she received a degree while also working as executive secretary to President James Boyer. She subsequently attended North Carolina Central University and obtained another degree. After graduation, Veasey taught school, served as a community supporter, and worked as a Sunday school advisor. Veasey was a leader in the fight for civil rights, where she served as the first female African-American president of the Wake County NAACP.
Following their chance meeting at a Raleigh restaurant where Veasey was celebrating her 99th birthday, McInnis knew that it was important for him to honor her in his official capacity as a state senator. As a result, McInnis invited Veasey to attend the N.C. Senate on May 17, 2017 where he commemorated Veasey’s service to her state and her country.
During his address to the Senate, McInnis recalled his first meeting with Veasey, stating, “Sgt. Veasey is a patriot, a lover of children, a lover of senior citizens, a lover of her country, and a lover of her world. The first thing she said to me when I met her was ‘I want to get a picture with you,’ and I told her ‘No, I want to get a picture with you.’”