Aurea retired from the 101st Airborne Division, Air Assault (AASLT), and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for four years. She completed two tours with the 101st and two years as a civilian contractor. She received numerous medals and awards, including two Bronze Star Medals for meritorious service in a combat zone.

The first Bronze Star was received while she was with Bravo Company, 101st Soldier Support Battalion, serving as a Casualty Liaison Team Leader for AASLT in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Mosul, Iraq (2003-2004). The second Bronze Star was received for outstanding performance as Human Resources NCOIC, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, COB Speicher in Tikrit, Iraq (2005-2006).

She holds three master’s degrees: two Masters of Business Administration and one Master of Public Administration. Aurea works in Washington, D.C., and continues to support various veterans programs. She is proud to be a lifetime member of the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC), previously serving as chairwoman of FAPAC’s Mentoring Program and currently serving as Committee Advisor. https://www.fapac.org/

Aurea believes in the concept of giving back to the community through charity. She is an active participant of the Combined Federal Campaign. Aurea believes in showing love to others because her chain of command when she was in the U.S. Army treated her with kindness, love, and respect. She is also an active parishioner and serves as a lector at her church in northern Virginia and in Washington, D.C.

Aurea continues to be in contact with her colleagues from OIF, especially Lydia, part of The Three Musketeers.