AMESBURY — This time of year is always a busy few weeks for any town's veterans' service officer, as they plan and participate in ceremonies marking Memorial Day.
It won't be any different for Kristin LaRue — except for the fact that she just started her position as Amesbury's veterans' agent yesterday. She finished her program to get a master's degree in social work from University of New Hampshire last week and is wasting no time putting her degree to use.
LaRue replaces Ron Koontz, who left Amesbury after a decade of service to take a job with the state. But although he's left the payroll books, Koontz is still offering his aid. He was meeting with LaRue yesterday to offer assistance in planning the Memorial Day parade and service, the lunch at the Senior Center, and the flag-marking program at cemeteries, she said.
"I'm definitely seeking the guidance of Ron and all the other VSOs in the area," LaRue said.
While women are joining the field of veterans' agents, in Greater Newburyport, LaRue is the only female to have the role. Heidi Kruckenberg, the women's coordinator for the Women's Veterans' Network for the state's Department of Veterans' Services, estimates there are about a dozen female veterans' agents statewide.
While it's hard to determine if the number of women becoming veterans' agents is on the rise without data to compare, Kruckenberg did note one fact.
"The percentage of women making up the veteran population is on the rise," Kruckenberg wrote in an e-mail.
LaRue, who is originally from California, served a three-year enlistment in the Navy, serving as a damage controlman in San Diego. She was honorably discharged in 2000.
"It was a great experience; one I wouldn't trade for anything," LaRue said. The service gave her a chance to meet people from all over, she said — an opportunity she wouldn't have any other way.
Aware that she is the first female veterans' agent in the surrounding communities, LaRue said she thinks people are excited as women accept the role more.
"Our community is changing; times are changing," she said. "I have not encountered any resistance."
LaRue also has her bachelor's degree in social work from the University of New Hampshire. Her background includes working with homeless families, primarily single parents and children, at a shelter in Portsmouth, N.H.
As she served others, she always had veterans in mind, LaRue said.
"It made me really want to reach out and help," she said.
As she spent her first day on the job yesterday, LaRue said she's excited to get started in Amesbury.
"I think Amesbury is amazing. so far, everyone's been so open and friendly," she said. "I realize I have some very big shoes to fill. I feel very fortunate to be working for the town of Amesbury, because it puts veterans first."
Memorial Day events begin at 10 a.m. on May 26, starting at the fire station. In the case of rain, the ceremony will be held at Town Hall.
