Larkin Inducts Area Woman Into Veterans’ Hall Of Fame

Earlier this week, Sen. Bill Larkin (R-C-I, 39^th District) proudly inducted West Point graduate and New Windsor native Col. Maria del Pilar Ryan, Ph.D, into the Senate’s Veterans’ Hall of Fame. Col. Ryan’s distinguished military career began in 1986 after graduating from West Point and saw her traverse the globe, hold numerous leadership positions and receive upon her 2013 retirement the Compass Award from the Women’s Leadership Exchange for her crucial role in shifting the way women are perceived as leaders.

“Col. Ryan is a shining example of the type of exceptional leaders that come out of our military,” Larkin said. “She proved her mettle as commander of the largest field artillery battery in the United States Army, as well as serving as a senior military intelligence officer. And even though she’s retired from the military, she’s still serving us by working in the fields of leadership and leader development. A New Windsor resident, she’s a testament to everything that makes our community and our nation great. It was truly my pleasure to honor her and induct her into the Veterans’ Hall of Fame.”