United Spinal Association bids farewell to our longtime VetsFirst Service Director Christine Golden as she embarks on her much-deserved retirement. Christine has led United Spinal’s current era of outreach and support to disabled veterans with matchless dedication and passion—as well as deep intuition for how to connect with individuals representing the diverse patchwork of today’s military population.
Christine began working with United Spinal in October 1999, when United Spinal was called Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association. Over the past 25 years, Christine has helped thousands of veterans and their family members get the benefits they deserve from Veterans Affairs.
“Christine is the very best. She had an answer to every one of my questions regarding VA benefits. Where else can one go to get a quick answer to our questions?” said a VetsFirst beneficiary in response to her assistance on his behalf.
Christine hails from a military family herself. She enlisted at age 17 in the US Army, enjoying the opportunity to see the world, and to try her hand at leading by example through her service. She was stationed in Kentucky, Texas, Louisiana, New York and did two tours in Germany. Throughout her career, she has continued to be an exemplar of the best values embodied by the US military in her work with disabled veterans.
Our Go-To Benefits Expert
“Christine has worked with veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and Iraq—and is a veteran herself. She has lived a life of service and was always my go-to benefits expert,” said James Weisman, former United Spinal President/CEO and current General Counsel, who worked with Christine across her entire career at United Spinal.
Weisman continued, “She has demonstrated the highest level of commitment to her country, our organization, and veterans and their families. Christine is a valued colleague, but more significantly, a friend of us all.”
It’s not only a sense of honor that guides Christine, but an uncommon sense of empathy. “I was inspired to help my fellow veterans through their struggles following military service, and learning that the more I help others, the more I, too, heal,” she said, when asked to reflect on what inspired her to work for our cause.
She intends to continue helping veterans navigate the VA system in her retirement as a volunteer. Christine is also embracing the opportunity to resume travelling, but additionally, to spend more time with family and friends. No doubt many more people will benefit from her wisdom and mentorship in the next stage of her admirable life.
Following Christine’s departure, United Spinal will be exploring new ways to incorporate wheelchair-using veterans into our programming. Founded by paralyzed veterans in 1946, our work has changed the lives of veterans over nearly eight decades. And so long as there are veterans out there who need our assistance, we will continue to serve.