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In July, the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix hosted a gathering that honored all women who served in World War II. The event was attended by many female veterans who served in the armed forces during those wartime years; a few even wore their uniforms.
One special guest was Helen A. Glass of American Legion Post 73 in Tucson, Ariz. "She's been honored by President Bush and many high-ranking individuals for her many years of volunteer work," said David Carrasco, a retired Vietnam War veteran and member of Post 41 in Phoenix.
Glass served in the U.S. Navy as an aviation machinist's mate and rose to the rank of petty officer second class. Her wartime memories have been recorded as part of the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress.
At the Hayden VA Center, each World War II vet received a coin etched with the words of George Washington: "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation." Joey Strickland, Vietnam War veteran and director of the Arizona Department of Veterans Services, presented the coins.
After the ceremony, the female veterans boarded a motor coach and were escorted to the US Airways Center in Phoenix, by volunteer motorcycle riders of the Patriot Guard. "To have the riders come out in the heat of the day to honor and escort them, with U.S. Flags flying high, was more than they could have imagined," Carrasco said.
At the US Airways Center, the women were saluted by U.S. military personnel and cheered by a large crowd, then honored with plaques given in recognition of their devotion to duty.
Then the women enjoyed a professional basketball game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Seattle Storm. At halftime, special recognition was given to the oldest war veterans in attendance: Ethel Farr, (Army), Rhoda Claytor (Navy), Jeannette Williams (Army Air Corps) and Lorayne Christensen (Marines). The oldest Coast Guard veteran of the group, Shirley Krabbe, could not attend but received her plaque later.
About half the proceeds from ticket sales for the event were donated to Veterans First Ltd., for military women outreach events across Arizona, including homeless women veteran "stand downs" in partnership with USVETS VIP Women's Program.
This first "Salute to Arizona Military Women and World War II Women" is being followed up with plans to do the same next year for Arizona women veterans of the Korean War.
