Aitkin Independent Age 7C Celebrating military women past...
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www.aitkinage.com Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013 Aitkin Independent Age 7C P ine Insurance Agency 216 Minnesota Avenue North, Aitkin • 218-927-4114 866-665-4114 • cell 218-851-7275 [email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected] Thanks to the Men and Women who honorably defend the freedoms we have at home! Located on Hwy. 210, East of the Stoplights in Aitkin 218-927-2120 online at christianrealtynorth.com 5 mi. N. of McGregor – 45955 State Hwy. 65 800-721-9896 • 218-426-3614 Samantha Farinella, broker (218) 821-1225 Betty Christian, realtor (218) 820-0170 Mike Farinella, realtor (218) 820-3411 Carol Krie, realtor (612) 597-9442 SINCE 1973 Same Name, Same Location, Same Great Service… We Remember and Honor All Who Have Served Our Country. Aitkin 218-927-2713 800-450-2713 Welding & Machine Work 218-927-2400 301 Bunker Hill Drive Aitkin, MN 56431 The 2013 Veteran’s Dinner Aitkin American Legion Post 86 Monday, November 11 5pm Social Hour; 5:45pm Short Program 6:00 Dinner Food prepared and provided by the Aitkin American Legion Post 86 Ladies’ Auxiliary. All veterans and spouses are invited to attend. Sponsored by the Aitkin American Legion Post 86 and the Aitkin VFW Post 1727. Aitkin Legion Post 86 218-927-2965 aitkinlegion86.org Aitkin VFW Roberts-Glad Post 1727 1 mile north of stoplight in Aitkin 218-927-2323 The men and women serving in our armed forces put their lives on the line so we are safe here at home. Thank You! 306 2nd St. NE, Aitkin, MN 218-927-2113 120 Minn. Ave. N., Downtown Aitkin • 218-927-6400 At a recent concert in Grand Rapids, veterans were asked to stand and be recognized. I stood, the only woman veteran in the audience, with my 33 years of Naval Reserve service. A child born during World War II, I had two uncles who served in that war – one Coast Guard, one Army. But it was my great- aunt Julia, serving in the WACs, who I credit as the strongest influence in my decision to join the military. Aunt Julia, 42 and single, enlisted in the WACs Nov. 26, 1943, in Minneapolis and was sent to Fort Des Moines, Iowa, the first WAC training center. She served in a medical occupation at Camp Edwards, Mass., and the Army and Navy General Hospi- tal, Hot Springs, Ark., until dis- charged on March 27, 1945. After she died in 1983, I inher- ited her photo albums and per- sonal keepsakes. Among them I found photos of her in uniform, her division at Fort Des Moines, camp life and hospital wards. She’d also kept her dog tags, service rating badge, Army Good Conduct ribbon, Medical Corps pin and U.S. hat pin. Early in 1941, Congress- woman Edith Nourse Rogers of Massachusetts met with General George C. Marshall, Army Chief of Staff, and informed him of her intention to introduce a bill to establish an army women’s corps, separate and distinct from the existing Army Nurse Corps. Initially, conservative opinion within the army leadership and the public opposed women serv- ing in uniform, and the bill failed to receive serious consideration until after the attack on Pearl Harbor. With the shortage of men necessitating a new policy, the Senate approved the bill on May 14, 1942. On July 3, 1943, the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) became the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), a part of the army itself rather than merely serving in it. Over 150,000 American women served in the WAAC and WAC during World War II, the first women other than nurses to serve with the army. While most women served stateside, many served world-wide in North Africa, Mediterranean, Europe, Southwest Pacific, China, India, Burma, New Guinea and the Middle East. Among many occupations, WACs were assigned as weather observers and forecasters, cryp- tographers, radio operators and repairmen, sheet metal workers, parachute riggers, bombsight maintenance specialists, aerial photograph analysts, control tower operators and crew mem- bers on B-17 training flights They were also assigned to chemical warfare service, quar- termaster corps, signal corps, transportation, ordnance, army medical department and hospital ships. General Douglas MacArthur called the WACs “my best sol- diers,” adding that they worked harder, complained less and were better disciplined than men. In 1945, General Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “During the time I’ve had WACs under my command, they’ve met every test and task assigned … their contributions in efficiency, skill, spirit and determination were immeasurable.” On June 12, 1948, the Women’s Army Corps became a part of the army and functioned within the U.S. Army organiza- tion until 1978 when its exis- tence as a separate corps was abolished, and women were fully assimilated into all but the combat branches of the army at that time. I found this newspaper clip- ping among Aunt Julia’s papers, which I believe attests to her devotion as a WAC and typifies the WAC spirit: The women who wouldn’t sit and wait It isn’t easy to say “good-by” to the family, and to friends, and to nice long weekends. It may not be natural for a woman to salute and stand at attention and say “Yes, sir”… But ask any WAC if she’d change places with anyone in the world – and the answer would be “No!” For deep down inside, every WAC knows the enormous satisfaction of being truly useful at a time of critical need. The WAC spirit is a gallant spirit. The spirit of women who would rather be in the war, than sitting and waiting for it to end. The WAC pride is an honest pride. In a job well done. In being part of the Army of the U.S. You really have to hand it to the women of the WAC… for they symbolize every- thing that is American. On Veterans Day, I will be cel- ebrating Aunt Julia and all my military “sisters” – those with past service and those currently serving here and around the world. I’m proud to have served with you. Linda Hommes lives on a small farm on Camp Lake in Kimberly Township. A member of the Aitkin Writers Group, she writes nature essays, memoir and poetry. Celebrating military women past, present Linda Hommes Columnist Aunt Julia was a WAC. AITKIN DAV CHAPTER 11 Arnie Swanson .................... 218-927-2332 AITKIN LEE POST 86 20 1st Ave. NE, Aitkin 56431 218-927-2965 Tom Fielder, Cmdr. Meeting: 2nd Thu. at 7:00 pm AITKIN POST 86 AUXILIARY Roberta Elvecog, Pres. ........ 218-549-3614 Meeting: 2nd Thu. at 7:00 pm IRONTON AMERICAN LEGION ............................................ 218-546-5975 Meeting: 2nd Mon., 6:30 pm MCGREGOR LEGION POST 23 Box 117, McGregor 55760 Bobby Johnson.................... 218-768-2497 Meeting: 1st Mon. 7 pm MILITARY SERVICE ASSOCIA- TION AND ISLE VFW POST 2816 5357 Whistle Rd., Isle .......... 320-676-3556 All past and present military service personnel welcome. Open to the public. ONAMIA VETS CLUB AMERI- CAN LEGION POST #395 AND VFW #955 Dean Benson; 38692 U.S. Hwy. 169 Onamia 56359...................... 320-532-4171 VFW Meets: 3rd Thu. at 7 pm at Vet’s Club. Legion Meets: 1st Tue. at 7 pm at Vet’s Club. SONS OF THE AMER. LEGION – AITKIN 20 1st Ave. NE, Aitkin .......... 218-927-2965 Jim Christensen .................. 218-927-6468 Meeting: Every other month on first Mon. 6 pm SONS OF THE AMER. LEGION – ONAMIA Jeff Benson .......................... 218-532-4171 Meeting: 2nd Sat., 1 pm at Vet’s Club. Legions AITKIN VFW POST 1727 36558 410th Ave., Aitkin 56431 Jeff Workman, Cmdr . .......... 218-927-2323 Meeting: 3rd Mon. at 7 pm AITKIN POST 1727 AUXILIARY 36558 410th Ave., Aitkin 56431 Linda Ihde, Pres................... 218-927-2323 Meeting: 3rd Mon. at 7 pm GARRISON - ANDREW KOKESH VFW POST 1816 27234 Monroe St., Garrison 56450 .................... 320-692-4414 Bruce Pierson, Cmdr . .......... 320-692-4414 Meeting: 2nd Mon. at 6:30 pm GARRISON - ANDREW KOKESH VFW POST 1816 AUXILIARY Maggie Kostecka, Pres. ...... 320-692-4414 Meeting: 2nd Mon. at 6:30 pm ISLE VFW POST 2816 PO Box 177, Isle 56342........ 320-676-3556 Roy “Jake” Shetka, Com- mander Meeting: 2nd Thu. at 7 pm at MSA MILLE LACS MILITARY SERV- ICE ASSOCIATION 5357 Whistle Rd, Isle 56342 320-676-3556 Doc Moss, Pres. Meeting: 3rd Thu. at 7 pm at MSA MCGREGOR - LARSON- DE- NEEN POST 2747 PO Box 374, McGregor 55760 Darrel Olson, Cmdr . ............ 218-768-3500 Meeting: 2nd Mon. at 3 pm MCGREGOR - LARSON-DE- NEEN POST 2747 AUXILIARY Carol Hageman, Sec. .......... 218-768-2047 Meeting: 2nd Thu. at 3 pm ONAMIA VFW POST 955 38692 U.S. Hwy. 169 Onamia 56359...................... 320-532-4171 Dean Benson, Cmdr. Meeting: 3rd Thu. at 7 pm at club ONAMIA 955 AUXILIARY Celia Dahman, Pres. ............ 320-532-4171 Meeting: 3rd Thu. at 7 pm at club PALISADE VFW Denny Lamke ...................... 218-845-2753 Meeting: Last Tue. at 6 pm at City Hall VFWs The group at the WAC training center in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 4, 1944.
Transcript of Aitkin Independent Age 7C Celebrating military women past...
www.aitkinage.com Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013 Aitkin Independent Age 7C
Pine Insurance Agency216 Minnesota Avenue North, Aitkin • 218-927-4114
866-665-4114 • cell [email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected]
Thanks to the
Men and Women who honorably defend the freedoms we have at home!
Located on Hwy. 210,East of the Stoplights in Aitkin
218-927-2120online at
christianrealtynorth.com
5 mi. N. of McGregor –45955 State Hwy. 65
800-721-9896 • 218-426-3614Samantha Farinella, broker (218) 821-1225Betty Christian, realtor (218) 820-0170Mike Farinella, realtor (218) 820-3411Carol Krie, realtor (612) 597-9442
SINCE 1973
Same Name,
Same Location,Same GreatService…
We Remember and Honor All Who Have Served Our Country.
Aitkin 218-927-2713 800-450-2713
Welding & Machine Work
218-927-2400301 Bunker Hill Drive
Aitkin, MN 56431
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The 2013 Veteran’s DinnerAitkin American Legion Post 86
Monday, November 11
5pm Social Hour; 5:45pm Short Program6:00 Dinner
Food prepared and provided by the Aitkin American Legion Post 86 Ladies’ Auxiliary.
All veterans and spouses are invited to attend.Sponsored by the Aitkin American Legion Post 86 and the Aitkin VFW Post 1727.
AitkinLegion
Post 86218-927-2965
aitkinlegion86.org
Aitkin VFW
Roberts-Glad Post 1727
1 mile north of stoplight in Aitkin
218-927-2323
The men and women serving in our armed
forces put their lives on theline so we are
safe hereat home.
ThankYou!
306 2nd St. NE, Aitkin, MN
218-927-2113
120 Minn. Ave. N., Downtown Aitkin • 218-927-6400
At a recent concert in GrandRapids, veterans were asked tostand and be recognized. I stood,the only woman veteran in theaudience, with my 33 years ofNaval Reserve service. A child born during World War
II, I had two uncles who servedin that war – one Coast Guard,one Army. But it was my great-aunt Julia, serving in the WACs,who I credit as the strongestinfluence in my decision to jointhe military.Aunt Julia, 42 and single,
enlisted in the WACs Nov. 26,1943, in Minneapolis and wassent to Fort Des Moines, Iowa,the first WAC training center. Sheserved in a medical occupation atCamp Edwards, Mass., and theArmy and Navy General Hospi-tal, Hot Springs, Ark., until dis-charged on March 27, 1945. After she died in 1983, I inher-
ited her photo albums and per-sonal keepsakes. Among them Ifound photos of her in uniform,her division at Fort Des Moines,camp life and hospital wards.She’d also kept her dog tags,service rating badge, ArmyGood Conduct ribbon, MedicalCorps pin and U.S. hat pin.Early in 1941, Congress-
woman Edith Nourse Rogers ofMassachusetts met with GeneralGeorge C. Marshall, Army Chiefof Staff, and informed him of herintention to introduce a bill toestablish an army women’s
corps, separate and distinct fromthe existing Army Nurse Corps.Initially, conservative opinionwithin the army leadership andthe public opposed women serv-ing in uniform, and the bill failedto receive serious considerationuntil after the attack on PearlHarbor. With the shortage ofmen necessitating a new policy,the Senate approved the bill onMay 14, 1942. On July 3, 1943,the Women’s Army AuxiliaryCorps (WAAC) became theWomen’s Army Corps (WAC), apart of the army itself rather thanmerely serving in it.Over 150,000 American
women served in the WAAC andWAC during World War II, thefirst women other than nurses toserve with the army. While mostwomen served stateside, manyserved world-wide in NorthAfrica, Mediterranean, Europe,Southwest Pacific, China, India,Burma, New Guinea and theMiddle East. Among many occupations,
WACs were assigned as weatherobservers and forecasters, cryp-tographers, radio operators andrepairmen, sheet metal workers,parachute riggers, bombsightmaintenance specialists, aerialphotograph analysts, controltower operators and crew mem-bers on B-17 training flightsThey were also assigned tochemical warfare service, quar-termaster corps, signal corps,transportation, ordnance, armymedical department and hospitalships.General Douglas MacArthur
called the WACs “my best sol-diers,” adding that they workedharder, complained less andwere better disciplined thanmen. In 1945, General DwightD. Eisenhower said, “During thetime I’ve had WACs under mycommand, they’ve met everytest and task assigned … theircontributions in efficiency, skill,spirit and determination wereimmeasurable.”On June 12, 1948, the
Women’s Army Corps became apart of the army and functionedwithin the U.S. Army organiza-tion until 1978 when its exis-tence as a separate corps wasabolished, and women werefully assimilated into all but thecombat branches of the army atthat time.I found this newspaper clip-
ping among Aunt Julia’s papers,which I believe attests to her
devotion as a WAC and typifiesthe WAC spirit:
The women who wouldn’t sitand waitIt isn’t easy to say “good-by”to the family, and to friends, andto nice long weekends. It maynot be natural for a woman tosalute and stand at attention andsay “Yes, sir”… But ask anyWAC if she’d change places withanyone in the world – and theanswer would be “No!” Fordeep down inside, every WACknows the enormous satisfactionof being truly useful at a time ofcritical need. The WAC spirit isa gallant spirit. The spirit ofwomen who would rather be inthe war, than sitting and waitingfor it to end. The WAC pride isan honest pride. In a job welldone. In being part of the Armyof the U.S. You really have tohand it to the women of theWAC… for they symbolize every-thing that is American.On Veterans Day, I will be cel-
ebrating Aunt Julia and all mymilitary “sisters” – those withpast service and those currentlyserving here and around theworld. I’m proud to have servedwith you.Linda Hommes lives on asmall farm on Camp Lake inKimberly Township. A memberof the Aitkin Writers Group, shewrites nature essays, memoirand poetry.
Celebrating military women past, present
LindaHommesColumnist
Aunt Julia was a WAC.
AITKIN DAV CHAPTER 11Arnie Swanson ....................218-927-2332
AITKIN LEE POST 8620 1st Ave. NE, Aitkin 56431218-927-2965Tom Fielder, Cmdr.Meeting: 2nd Thu. at 7:00 pm
AITKIN POST 86 AUXILIARYRoberta Elvecog, Pres. ........218-549-3614Meeting: 2nd Thu. at 7:00 pm
IRONTON AMERICAN LEGION............................................218-546-5975Meeting: 2nd Mon., 6:30 pm
MCGREGOR LEGION POST 23Box 117, McGregor 55760Bobby Johnson....................218-768-2497Meeting: 1st Mon. 7 pm
MILITARY SERVICE ASSOCIA-TIONAND ISLE VFW POST 28165357 Whistle Rd., Isle ..........320-676-3556All past and present militaryservice personnel welcome. Open tothe public.
ONAMIA VETS CLUB AMERI-CAN LEGION POST #395 ANDVFW #955Dean Benson; 38692 U.S.Hwy. 169Onamia 56359......................320-532-4171VFW Meets: 3rd Thu. at 7 pm atVet’s Club. Legion Meets: 1stTue. at 7 pm at Vet’s Club.
SONS OF THE AMER. LEGION– AITKIN20 1st Ave. NE, Aitkin ..........218-927-2965Jim Christensen ..................218-927-6468Meeting: Every other month onfirst Mon.6 pm
SONS OF THE AMER. LEGION– ONAMIAJeff Benson..........................218-532-4171Meeting: 2nd Sat., 1 pm atVet’s Club.
LegionsAITKIN VFW POST 172736558 410th Ave., Aitkin56431Jeff Workman, Cmdr. ..........218-927-2323Meeting: 3rd Mon. at 7 pm
AITKIN POST 1727 AUXILIARY36558 410th Ave., Aitkin56431Linda Ihde, Pres...................218-927-2323Meeting: 3rd Mon. at 7 pm
GARRISON - ANDREWKOKESH VFWPOST 181627234 Monroe St., Garrison 56450 ....................320-692-4414Bruce Pierson, Cmdr. ..........320-692-4414Meeting: 2nd Mon. at 6:30 pm
GARRISON - ANDREWKOKESH VFWPOST 1816 AUXILIARYMaggie Kostecka, Pres. ......320-692-4414Meeting: 2nd Mon. at 6:30 pm
ISLE VFW POST 2816 PO Box 177, Isle 56342........320-676-3556Roy “Jake” Shetka, Com-manderMeeting: 2nd Thu. at 7 pm atMSA
MILLE LACS MILITARY SERV-ICEASSOCIATION5357 Whistle Rd, Isle 56342320-676-3556Doc Moss, Pres.Meeting: 3rd Thu. at 7 pm atMSA
MCGREGOR - LARSON- DE-NEEN POST 2747PO Box 374, McGregor 55760Darrel Olson, Cmdr. ............218-768-3500Meeting: 2nd Mon. at 3 pm
MCGREGOR - LARSON-DE-NEEN POST 2747 AUXILIARY Carol Hageman, Sec. ..........218-768-2047Meeting: 2nd Thu. at 3 pm
ONAMIA VFW POST 95538692 U.S. Hwy. 169Onamia 56359......................320-532-4171Dean Benson, Cmdr.Meeting: 3rd Thu. at 7 pm atclub
ONAMIA 955 AUXILIARYCelia Dahman, Pres. ............320-532-4171Meeting: 3rd Thu. at 7 pm atclub
PALISADE VFWDenny Lamke ......................218-845-2753Meeting: Last Tue. at 6 pm atCity Hall
VFWs
The group at the WAC training center in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 4, 1944.
