August 2023

Veteran of the Month, August 2023

“Bridgett Renay” Smith

Bridgett Renay began her military career on a small island named San Clemente off the coast of California. From there, her twenty-four-year journey also landed her in Orlando, Florida; Jacksonville, Florida; Honolulu, Hawaii; New York, New York; London; Kuwait; Bahrain; and ending at Dobbin Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia.

Her most notable assignment was being recalled to active duty September 27, 2001, after the terrorist attacks on our country where she participated in Operation Nobel Eagle/Enduring Freedom, Authority 10 USC 12302 at Naval Security Force Bahrain as a security patrolwoman. It was there where she earned the Armed Force Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Expert Pistol, and 12 Gauge Shotgun (Sharpshooter) medal.

Along with a host of other Letters of Appreciation and Commendations, awards and medals also include Sailor of the Quarter 2008, Junior Sailor of the Year 2008, and Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal 2009.

 Bridgett Renay also spent years of personal triumphs earning a Certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University, a Bachelor of Science in Technical Communication, and a Master of Business Administration. She has also experienced professional growth with 25+ years in corporate America and as a Retired Navy Reservist.

 In 2018 Bridgett Renay started her company, Legacy Bridge, Inc. where she takes on everything from educating, publishing, and community outreach. She is a current member of the Military Sorority Delta Omicron Alpha, the American Legion Post 291, Veterans Helping Veterans, and the National Association of Black Military Women.

 Bridgett Renay is also the best-selling author of six titles where she inspires the under-valued, under-served, under-employed, and definitely the misunderstood, into turning their stories into a profitable business or social platform.

 This disabled U.S. Veteran still lives by the Navy core values of honor, courage, and commitment. Now, as a Certified Peer Specialist, she continues to be the voice of individuals fighting battles that hinder them from living their best lives.

 Bridgett Renay resides in Riverdale, Georgia. When not running her company or being a community advocate, she loves spending time with family and friends while traveling to exotic locations and trying new things. She is also an avid hiker who enjoys exploring Georgia’s beautiful state parks, national parks with her favorite being the Smoky Mountains, and scenic hiking trails throughout the country, with her hiking club Team Train Faithfully.