05/20/2026
A short little back story for this Veteran Spotlight on why we are donating this floor.
Monica Riggs – A Story of Service, Strength, and Adaptation
Monica Riggs of Kansas has lived a life defined by courage, commitment, and constant reinvention. A native of the Sunflower State, she answered the call to serve her country by joining the United States Air Force Reserve, where she became a Chief Pilot with the 18th Air Refueling Squadron based at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita. Over the course of nearly two decades, she flew more than 100 combat missions, balancing the demands of military service with being a wife and mother to three daughters.
While many know Monica for her dedication to duty, others also came to know her through her community involvement. In 2018 she stepped briefly into the spotlight outside the cockpit when she was crowned Mrs. Kansas United States, using the platform to raise awareness about autism, a cause her family deeply cares about.
Just one year after that honor, Monica’s life took an unexpected turn. In 2019 she began noticing troubling symptoms—fatigue, loss of strength, and numbness—that were unlike anything she had experienced before. After months of medical appointments and uncertainty, she was diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis, a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the nervous system. Over time, the disease impacted her mobility and led to a service-connected disability through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
For Monica, daily life now looks very different than it did even a few years ago. She uses a wheelchair full-time and has had to adapt routines once taken for granted—like travel, errands, and even moving around her own home—to accommodate her changing physical needs. Her family has adjusted alongside her: her husband supports the household, and her daughters pitch in so she can remain at the heart of their busy lives.
Despite these challenges, Monica continues to seek opportunities for growth, connection, and purpose. In 2024 she participated in the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, an adaptive sports event that brings together veterans with disabilities for skiing and other activities. There she discovered a community of fellow veterans whose resilience and shared experiences helped reaffirm her own strength and determination—reminding her that her identity extends beyond her diagnosis.
Monica’s story is both deeply personal and universally inspiring: a story of service to others, profound transformation, and an unyielding commitment to living fully—no matter how life changes course.
