#VeteranOfTheDay Navy Veteran Claire VanLandingam

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Navy Veteran Claire VanLandingam.

Claire was born and raised in Terre Haute, Indiana. She was commissioned a Navy Dental Corps officer on Dec. 9, 2013 and graduated from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry in early 2017. While still in school, Claire worked in clinics to provide services to low-income and disabled patients.

Claire’s first tour was at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, Illinois. She worked at the USS Osborne Clinic at the Naval Station Great Lakes Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes Illinois, the Navy’s largest dental operation. Claire helped to provide advanced dental care for new recruits and was described by her officers as a fast learner and fantastic dentist who quickly made her mark on colleagues and patients. She completed the FHCC Tactical Combat Casualty Care course to advance her deployment readiness level in the Navy, despite not being required to do so as a dentist.

Claire unexpectedly passed away at the age of 27 on Jan. 3, 2018 in Lake Forest, Illinois.

We honor her service.

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? You’re in luck! VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Graphic By Kierra Willis: Kierra Willis is a Graphic Communication Major at the University of Maryland University College. She currently has an AAS in Graphic Design and Visual Communications.