My name is Rita Cossio, I am a retired Army Veteran who served 40 years of military service. Eighteen years active duty and twenty-two years active Army Reserves. I had five overseas assignments while in the military: England, Grafenwöhr, Berlin, Korea and Iraq. Serving in the military was a honor and a blessing. I traveled and met so many wonderful people and have been blessed with lifelong friendships! Serving this nation was an honor and I am proud to continue to serve my fellow veterans and be an example of integrity and honor. I consider myself a person who is humble & giving and a person that is living life to its fullest and encouraging those around me to reach their highest potential. We live once and I believe that the choices we make need to empower ourselves and others. I want to be a positive influence on everyone I meet. I want to continue to serve the people of the United States of America in any way I can but especially our Veterans who need us!
Q: Tell us about yourself, including a little bit about where you grew up, your education, your family, interests, passions, and career?
I grew up in a Mexican-American household in Arcadia, California. My mother was from New Hurley, New Mexico and my father was from San Luis Potosi. I cherish my culture but am proud to be an American. We were a simple and humble family, we never had money to eat out or enjoy vacations, my mother raised us alone and worked to provide with some help from my father and his family. School wasn’t hard for me and I tried to stay home whenever I could but I had teachers who saw my potential and encouraged me to graduate. My favorite subject was English and I loved reading books. Books were my introduction to life outside my home. I read any book I could get my hands on and I loved learning about people and their interests. After graduating from high school, I joined the military and was sent overseas to Germany It was my first time away from home and I felt so alone but thankfully a Warrant Officer that recognized my distress. He asked me what was wrong, and I told him I did not understand the German language and wanted to go where they spoke English. Thinking he’d send me back to the United States, I was astounded when he came back and said, I was being sent to England. I was sent to an Army Detachment of 21 personnel on an Air Force Base, RAF Alconbury. That’s where my military life began.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in The Golden Strip?
I have lived here since 2016. Prior to that, my only time in South Carolina was when I completed Basic Training at Ft. Jackson. I came to the Golden Strip to work in Human Resources for an insurance company that catered to the entertainment business. I retired from that company in 2018 and began exploring the area. I already loved the home I had bought but while exploring I fell in love with the people, the southern hospitality and the natural surrounding of this place.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I love dancing in my home! I will put on music from the 70’s and 80’s and DANCE! Music is alive with memories both of the artists and for me because I can listen to music and remember where I was stationed or lived. My favorites are Motown’s Oldies But Goodies.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in The Golden Strip?
I actually have four, One is Lou Hutchings who is a Councilman for the City of Simpsonville, that man is the epitome of hospitality; second and third are Rory and LeeAnn Curtis, the owners of Carolina Olive Oil these two individuals are the essence of love and generosity; the last is my friend and neighbor Debbie Turk, she is everything a Southern Belle should be – a friend, a hostess and loving!
Q: What current / former local business makes you the most nostalgic about The Golden Strip?
World Piece Pizza is one of my favorite restaurants because the food is good but the hospitality and friendship you find there is life-long. And of course, Foot Solutions Greenville makes my feet happy. I only wish they had a coffee shop inside then I could stop in everyday. Both businesses I mentioned are Veteran-Owned and they both exemplify the veterans that own them by providing friendly and outstanding service and friendship.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about The Golden Strip?
I love yard sales, you meet the most friendliest people. I can go to a yard sale and meet people that will invite you in for coffee or share their exciting explorations or great places to visit in the area! Only here in the Golden Strip will people treat you like family once you exchange your name and background.
Q: With so much growth in our area, there are always new places popping up. Tell us about the a “new to you” place that you recently tried.
Crossroads 4 Coffee and Tea at 112 E Standing Springs Rd., Simpsonville will you find great coffee, a variety of teas, a great place to sit and chill, and they have art pieces from local vendors and products from the Happy Cow Creamery. Great place!
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME or NEIGHBOR?
A Community is love and sharing, that’s my neighborhood in Saddlers Ridge. For Neighbor, its love, safety and memories!
Q: If you had friends or family visiting you from out of town, what is the one place that you must take them to?
Downtown Greenville and Cedar Falls Park- both have beautiful scenery and gorgeous views. Downtown Greenville has a great variety of place to eat and tings to do, that’s my first choice always!
Q: If you had a free day with no plans, what would you do? Or where can we find you on the weekends?
Walking, reading, sewing and visiting my neighbor and of course volunteering for Veteran groups or helping someone in need.
Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?
My Veteran Sisters from Upstate South Carolina Women Veteran Group – we are a mix of everything that exemplifies honor, integrity and a desire to have fun!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
To surf, I love water but am afraid of challenging myself with the stamina and courage it takes to surf. I love to watch the surfers in Hawaii take those large waves and through them I experience the beauty of the ocean at that moment.
Q: What advice would you give to a crowd of people?
Be honest, have integrity but most of all, help and honor your neighbors, especially the elderly. Respect our children, our elders and our animals they are often defenseless to their circumstances and need our help and our voices to do the right thing – always!
Q: Who would you like to see nominated for this project, The Faces of The Golden Strip?
Lou Hutchings.
