History/Heritage News
Nation's Oldest Female Veteran Dies at Age 108
Thursday, January 28, 2016 | Category: History/Heritage - National
On January 27, 2016, Alyce Dixon, died at 108 years old. She was the nation's oldest female veteran who was one of the first African-American women to serve overseas in the U.S. Army. Ms. Dixon joined the Army in 1943, serving in Scotland, England, and France in the only African-American women's unit--the U.S. Army's 6888th Postal Battalion--during World War II. On September 21, 2014, the Department of Veterans Affairs named her "Veteran of the Day."
Dallas VA Hospital’s Wall of Honor Remembers Female Veterans’ Past, Present
Monday, January 25, 2016 | Category: History/Heritage - Texas
The Women Veterans' Wall of Honor was the idea of two Dallas medical center employees, Women Veterans Program Manager Leslie Snowden-Crawford and physician assistant Pamela Korzeniowski. They hope that the shadow boxes will "raise the profile of female veterans among the center’s heavily male-dominated artifact exhibits."
Here Are The Women Who First Joined Each Branch Of The Military
Thursday, January 21, 2016 | Category: History/Heritage - National
Columnist James Clark reports on who historical documents report are the first women to join the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard.
The Women Excluded From Arlington National Cemetery
Friday, January 15, 2016 | Category: History/Heritage - National
In 2015, the Secretary of the Army rescinded the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) eligibility to be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery after their official veteran status was achieved in 1977, over 30 years after they served stateside and overseas during World War II. They flew 77 different types of aircraft and over 60 million miles. Thirty-eight died during the war. General "Hap" Arnold fought for WASP official military status in 1944, but unexpectedly lost that Congressional battle. His letter to the WASPs and the legislative bill is included in this article. About 200 WASPs went to Korea and Vietnam as Reserves. Since 2002, they have been eligible to be placed in Arlington National Cemetery with standard honors. Legislation to restore inurnment rights has been introduced by Representative Martha McSally, an Air-Force veteran, and Senator Barbara Mikulski put forward a similar bill in the Senate. Today, there are only 115 WASPs living, all over 90 years old.
Family Fighting to Allow Female World War II Pilots to Be Laid to Rest in Arlington National Cemetery
Tuesday, January 5, 2016 | Category: History/Heritage - National
World War II pilot veteran Elaine Harmon's family is fighting to preserve the rights for her and other female WWII pilots to be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC). Harmon, at 25 years old, joined 1,000 other volunteer female pilots in 1944 as part of the Army's World War II Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) program. When she died in 2015, her family applied to have her ashes inurned at ANC. They were denied. On March 23, 2015, the Secretary of the Army rescinded the ANC Superintendent's 2002 decision.
US West Point Academy Swears in First Woman Commandant of Cadets
Tuesday, January 5, 2016 | Category: History/Heritage - National
Brigadier General Diana Holland, an Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran, was sworn in as the Commandant of Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point was sworn in on January 5, 2016. General Holland is the first female to serve in this position, the latest milestone for American women who now are allowed to serve all military combat roles. West Point, founded in 1802, accepted its first female cadets in 1976.
Worcester Wreath Reports on the 2016 Wreaths Across America Program
Tuesday, January 5, 2016 | Category: History/Heritage - National
On December 12, 2015, the Worcester Wreath Company and Wreaths Across America announced that 901,000 Christmas wreaths were placed on graves across America to remember those who served in the military. The wreaths help to keep their memory alive and is a time when individuals come together without denominational divide or political agenda to lift up the men and women who protected America’s freedom. The "Wreaths Across America" mission which is to "Remember, Honor, Teach."
Two Big Army Salutes to Military Women's Equality
Tuesday, December 22, 2015 | Category: History/Heritage - National
This blog's article commends the promotion of two women to senior U.S. Army positions. She believes these "firsts" are potentially important steps to positively transforming women's military experiences to include serving with respect and dignity.
Salt City Women Veterans Share Military Sservice and Sense of Community
Tuesday, November 10, 2015 | Category: History/Heritage - New York
Salt City Women Veterans began over 25 years ago as the Salt City Blues. Women veterans gather in camaraderie and share experiences. The community is an alternative to all-male veteran service organizations.
Female Veterans Write Their War Stories
Tuesday, November 10, 2015 | Category: History/Heritage - Idaho
Women Veterans' Memoirs: A Writing Workshop has brought women veterans together to share their "war stories" and learn how to put those stories into words on paper. It's a free workshop that meets twice a month through March. The best work from each veteran will be published in a book by the Writers Center and in May, they'll participate in a public reading. A Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation grant funded the program.