Meet the Team

About Us      Mission Statement      Objectives     Contact Us

Janet Skerry, President/Chair

“Standing next to my desk in school reciting of the “Pledge of Allegiance” was not merely a ritual to me, it was a privilege.   At a young age, I had a deep respect for my country.   And it did not take long as a young girl to realize that our military service members were to be respected and appreciated.  Over the past 5 years, I have seen what our young men and women go through to become ready to serve in the military. I have seen their commitment to protect our country.  I have seen their struggle when one of their comrades is injured or when they are injured themselves.  And I have seen the heartbreak of families who have received the knock on the door informing them their precious child has been KIA.    My hope is to support these families and offer a little bit of comfort through Remember and Respect and to continue to work alongside other organizations who have given an example of what it means to serve our Military members.  I thank God for this opportunity and I will continue to pray for peace.   My husband and I have been married for over 30 years.  We have 3 adult children: Heather, Lewis, and Mike along with our daughter-in-law, Katie.”

Lew Skerry, Vice President

“I have a profound respect for anyone who serves in our military and is willing to suffer hardship even to the extent of giving up their life.  I am moved by that and want to support their efforts in any way I can be of help.  Using my professional skills, my hope is to help Remember and Respect, Inc.  reach its goals and help carry out its mission statement of supporting, honoring and remembering our troops.  I want to serve those who protect my family and my country so it remains the ‘Land of Freedom’.”

Tricia Burgess, Treasurer/Board Secretary

Through my bookkeeping business and experience setting up a non-profit homeschool group, Janet requested my assistance in setting up Remember and Respect, Inc. and applying for non-profit status.  In the process, her enthusiasm and passion for this cause motivated me to use my bookkeeping knowledge to volunteer for the treasurer’s position.  Having listened to my father-in-law’s stories about World War II (Navy-retired on disability), followed my cousin’s tour in Vietnam (Army), and cried when my son’s best friend joined the Marines and served in Afghanistan, my heart was already tender toward our military.  Remember and Respect opened the door to allow me to honor my loved ones and those who have paid the price or are currently serving in our military.  My son’s best friend is still serving, and I pray for his safety and all of our warriors.

Katie Skerry – Advisor

“With a husband and brother both serving in the Marines I have seen first hand how much our military members (and their families) are willing to sacrifice. It is simply awe-inspiring to see how much they are willing to give and expect nothing in return. Helping out with Remember and Respect is one small way I can give back and say ‘Thanks’ to our military.”

                                              Mary Jane Drake, Facebook Content

As the daughter of a Marine pilot, sister of a Naval officer, wife of a Navy pilot, and mother of two Marines, I have very strong feelings of gratitude to and respect for all who serve or have served our country in the military.  It was not until my youngest son was serving in Afghanistan and asked my husband and me to visit his corpsman, who had been seriously injured and was being treated at Bethesda Naval Hospital, that I began to see first hand what our wounded warriors and their families go through.  I have so much respect and admiration for their courage.  I wanted to do something to directly help them in some way, and over time became involved with providing meals to the wounded warriors and their families in the hospital.  When I was asked to participate in the launch of Remember and Respect, I eagerly accepted, and look forward to seeing it grow and reach out to many more families of our fallen heroes and wounded warriors.

Nora Aftel, Web Support

I worked as a civilian with the Department of Defense for almost 17 years, before I left work to homeschool my three children and start my own web solutions business (www.aftelconsulting.com).  I am completely amazed and so grateful for the incredible sacrifices made by all our military members and their families.  I happily assist Remember and Respect with their website and on-line presence to say THANK YOU! to honor the military’s willingness to protect the freedoms of our nation and its citizens.
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