# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Friends In Service of Heroes Speaker Series With Norma Donlon
- **Event Start and End Date**: Thu, 19 Mar, 2026 at 07:00 pm
- **Event Description**: Norma Shinno Irving Donlon’s life is defined by resilience, faith, and unwavering devotion to family and country. Of Japanese ancestry, she was born in Arkansas during World War II at the Camp Jerome War Relocation Center, where her family was interned. At just seven years old, she lost her hearing due to illness, meeting this challenge with determination by learning to read lips and continuing her education.

She went on to attend El Camino College and Pierce College in California. Norma married United States Army Ranger First Lieutenant John W. Irving, Jr., but at only 22 years old, she was widowed when he was killed in the Vietnam War. Four years later, she married another career Army soldier, Colonel Roger Donlon, a United States Army Special Forces officer and Medal of Honor recipient for his service in Vietnam.

Together, Norma and Roger built a life centered on service, raising five children while remaining deeply committed to the military community. Their shared dedication provided strength, purpose, and structure to their family and to the many service members they supported.

In 1988, Norma received the Department of the Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal in recognition of her extraordinary contributions. Honoring 50 years of steadfast support, the National Special Forces Association granted her honorary membership in 2017 — making her only the seventh woman to receive that distinction. That same year, she and Roger served as co–grand marshals of the Wreaths Across America Convoy, and in 2018, Norma was appointed a Wreaths Across America Ambassador.

Soldier’s Widow… Soldier’s Wife… Soldier’s Mother… is Norma’s first book — a powerful and deeply moving account of love, sacrifice, and service. It is a story you won’t want to put down.

Come meet Norma and hear her remarkable story in person.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/overland-park/friends-in-service-of-heroes-speaker-series-with-norma-donlon/200029785121042
- **Event Categories**: contests, meetups
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 31

## Ticket Details

- **Ticket URL**: http://facebook.com/200029785121042?utm_source=AllEvents.in&utm_medium=event-discovery-platform&utm_campaign=overland+park-events

## Event venue details

- **city**: Overland Park
- **state**: KS
- **country**: United States
- **location**: American Legion Post 370 - Overland Park, KS
- **lat**: 38.993814643
- **long**: -94.672358156
- **full address**: American Legion Post 370 - Overland Park, KS, 7500 W 75th St, Overland Park, KS 66204-2954, United States

## Event Organizer details

- **affiliate_id**: 2
- **organizer**: FISH - Friends In Service of Heroes (https://allevents.in/org/fish-friends-in-service-of-heroes/16424507)

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: banner
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/21d8ed258f922d48998fbbef8a050c5de7db8550222b683fba0ff6b8743eb39a-rimg-w1200-h675-dcfefefe-gmir?v=1773552678
- **Alt text**: thumbnail
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/0b06c7ab8c65c834889319445cdc03bbe555e28ae1fedc9de8fe03efb2e78deb-rimg-w300-h300-dcfeffff-gmir?v=1773552678

## FAQs

- **Q**: When is the event happening?
  - **A:** Thu, 19 Mar, 2026 at 07:00 pm
- **Q**: Where is the event happening?
  - **A:** American Legion Post 370 - Overland Park, KS, 7500 W 75th St, Overland Park, KS 66204-2954, United States
- **Q**: Who is organizing the event?
  - **A:** FISH - Friends In Service of Heroes
- **Q**: What type of event is this?
  - **A:** contests, meetups
- **Q**: Where can I find ticket details about Friends In Service of Heroes Speaker Series With Norma Donlon ?
  - **A:** You can find ticket details about this event on AllEvents.

## Structured Data (JSON-LD)

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        "startDate": "2026-03-19",
        "url": "https://allevents.in/overland-park/friends-in-service-of-heroes-speaker-series-with-norma-donlon/200029785121042",
        "location": {
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        "description": "Norma Shinno Irving Donlon’s life is defined by resilience, faith, and unwavering devotion to family and country. Of Japanese ancestry, she was born in Arkansas during World War II at the Camp Jerome War Relocation Center, where her family was interned. At just seven years old, she lost her hearing",
        "organizer": [
            {
                "@type": "Organization",
                "name": "FISH - Friends In Service of Heroes",
                "url": "https://allevents.in/org/fish-friends-in-service-of-heroes/16424507",
                "description": "The mission of F.I.S.H. is to engage and encourage everyday Americans to honor the men and women who have sacrificed to guarantee America’s freedom. "
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]
```