Marine Corps veteran Rae Lynn Munoz, Executive Director of Missouri's National Veterans Memorial, will provide the keynote address during Perry County District 32’s annual Veterans Day Assembly on Monday, Nov. 10.
A southeast Missouri native, Munoz enlisted in the United States Marine Corps upon graduating high school. While on active duty, Corporal Munoz served aboard MCAGCC 29 Palms and Camp Pendleton from 2005-09, then continued to serve in the Reserves until 2013. During her service, she was awarded the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Certificate of Appreciation, Letter of Appreciation, Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, and Pistol Marksman Badge.
After exiting active duty, Rae Lynn attended College of the Desert, where she held a Veterans Affairs work study position with the Employment Development Department in Indio, Calif. This role helped Munoz transition into the civilian workforce where she began her career in municipal government with the City of Palm Desert in Southern California before later moving to a position with the Maintenance & Operations Department at College of the Desert.
Munoz founded the nonprofit USMC Desert Veterans, dedicated to supporting military Veterans through networking and education scholarships awarded during the organization’s annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Her efforts earned numerous honors, including a Proclamation from the County of Riverside, Calif., Board of Supervisors, a Certificate of Recognition from the State of California Senate, and recognition as Veteran of the Year.
Munoz returned home to southeast Missouri in 2020 where she accepted a position with the City of Sikeston’s Human Resources Department. She was active with the Society for Human Resource Management (SEMO Chapter), serving on the Board of Directors as Vice President. She also remained involved with the Marine Corps League Detachment No. 1081 as Jr. Past Commandant.
Munoz began her role with Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial (MVNM) in Perryville in 2022. She has led numerous community events and major projects over the last three years, including the dedication of The Old Guard and Huey Helicopter monuments, a Museum expansion, and the installation of two new statues within the Honor Flag Memorial; the Battlefield Cross, and the ongoing sidewalk expansion project. Her leadership has strengthened MNVM’s presence and impact within the community while honoring the legacy of “One Man’s Promise.”
In addition to her role at MNVM, Munoz proudly serves as a Board Member of the Southeast Missouri (SEMO) Honor Flight, which takes Veterans to Washington, D.C., every October to visit the monuments built in their honor.