Connie Heckert grew up attending the program of the Junior American Legion and is the daughter of a World War II veteran. Her brother-in-law, Kenny Freund, is a Vietnam War veteran who was awarded two Purple Heart medals. Connie is an aunt to Todd Stuflick, a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy (and his wife, Tiffany Brumley Stuflick, also a Lieutenant Commander). Heckert has participated in PGR missions since 2010 with Ron Wells, a grandfather of National Guardsman Mitch Klauer, who served in the Afghanistan conflict. Ron's uncle, Dean Brix, was a Bronze Star medalist during the Korean War. Heckert holds degrees from Black Hawk and Augustana colleges, the University of Iowa (MA) and Hamline University (MFAC) and has published books for children, teens and adults, including Dribbles (Clarion) and the co-authored Roots and Recipes published by Pelican Publishing. She lives in Iowa. www.connieheckert.com
