O’Brien speaking at Veterans Day Event The Xavierite
On Nov. 11, SXU’s Student Veterans Alliance and the McCarthy Brigade came together to honor the service of LTC Karen O’Brien, Ph.D.
“I am truly blessed to be recognized by Saint Xavier and my veteran brothers and sisters, as well as the first responder community,” said O’Brien.
O’Brien was selected to receive a combat flag due to her leadership in the nursing department and her active service record. She has a record of over twenty years of military service, having served in many roles which led to her gaining a secret security clearance.
Some of the awards that O’Brien has previously received include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Expert Field Medical Badge.
As the ceremony began, the Saint Xavier choir performed the “Star-Spangled Banner,” and afterwards speakers went to the podium.
Pat McCauley, founder of the McCarthy Brigade spoke on behalf of the achievements O’Brien has had over the years. He shared a story, showing the selflessness that O’Brien had displayed during conflicts in the middle east.
One day, O’Brien was overseeing a soldier who had just had both legs amputated. He was in need, and simply asked her if she could help him clean himself. McCauley described her as a hero for stepping in and coming to assist during the soldier’s time of need.
As the presentation came to a close, the floor opened for audience questions. One of the questions asked was “what inspired you to enlist?”
O’Brien replied with one word: “Money.” She was struggling with paying the tuition of her first two years in college. She needed a way to afford her junior and senior year of college. After speaking with some fellow classmates, she decided ROTC was the way to go.
O’Brien did not have any family members who were service members, besides a distant uncle.
When asked what her specific role was, she said that “contrary to popular belief, I did not serve as a combat nurse.” She instead served as a registered nurse working either in a military hospital, or at a temporary camp out in the field.
She deeply enjoyed that time, and mentioned that the best part of it was the bond between everyone working overseas. “Everyone supports each other,” she said. Everyone was there to assist one another, and help with anything.
Since then, she completed her college degree, and earned her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from SXU. She began teaching at the University from 1999 to 2017, and has since returned in 2023 as the Director of Undergraduate Nursing.To learn more about O’Brien, click here. To see any future events by SVA, click here.