Sharran Chambers-Murphy – Veteran Peer Mentor
U.S. Army
Sharran Chambers-Murphy is a military veteran. She served in the United States Army Reserves from 1986-1997. Her unit was deployed to Germany during Operation Desert Shield Desert Storm in 1990. She has performed humanitarian missions in areas including Ft. Clayton, Panama and Guayaquil and Celica in Ecuador. She has received numerous awards for outstanding service to her country and community. Sharran is an advocate and resource for military veterans and servicemembers of all branches of service. It is her desire to ensure that military service members are equipped with appropriate information that will enable them to transition and live a healthy productive life.
Steve Dreyer – Veteran Peer Mentor
U.S. Army
Steve Dreyer entered the Army in December of 1967. He trained in Fort Walters, TX and in Fort Polk, LA. Steve deployed to Vietnam in February 1969, as an 11 Bravo, Combat Infantry, with the First Cavalry Unit. He ended his service later that year in December 1969, leaving the service with 3 purple hearts and a case of malaria.
As a civilian, Steve married his wonderful wife Lori in 1974. They have three sons: Jamie, Tim and Dan. Steve is proud that his son, Tim, a 3rd generation soldier, followed in his footsteps and joined the Army, also deploying as Combat Infantry in both the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Steve earned his bachelor’s in Business Administration from C. W. Post (now Long Island University.) Steve worked in manufacturing, retired at 65, and now works as a veteran peer where he enjoys supporting fellow veterans in their wellness journeys. His hobbies include gardening, cars, and being an “at home tinkerer.”
Dan O’Connell – Veteran Peer Mentor
U.S. Air Force
Daniel O’Connell graduated from SUNY Brockport with a BS in Criminal Justice and then entered the United States Air Force in February 1981. Dan was a Law enforcement specialist at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome NY, where he went on to earn his MBA from SUNY Binghamton. After the Air Force he continued onto the US Navy Reserves where he served in Naval Intelligence. Dan joined the New York City Police Department and retired out of the Nassau County Police Department. Currently, he serves as a Sergeant in the Port Jefferson Constable Bureau, and as a Joseph Dwyer Veteran Peer Mentor.
Dan is a huge baseball fan. He is happily married to his wonderful wife, Kathy, a Marine Biologist.
James Carney – Veteran Peer Mentor
U.S. Navy
James is a former US Navy Seabee from 2012-2017. He was first assigned to Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202 stationed at Little Creek, in Virginia Beach. There he got the opportunity to take part of Southern Partnership Station 2014, working with the Belize, Honduras, and Guatemalan militaries, on humanitarian construction projects. After three years with CMBU 202, he was then assigned to Naval Support Activity Bahrain, part of the Public Works Department.