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| THE ORGANIZATION FOR THE WOMEN OF THE SEA SERVICES |
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Dolores M. Maillette |
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May/June 2000 page 3 |
"Still Something Special" |
May/June 2000 page 3 |
| (Continued from Page 1 –
Avis Lowe)
After discharge as a Lieutenant on February 5, 1946, she married a fellow officer. They have three children. Avis recently transferred back to Unit 32 after a few years with Unit 101. Secretary Virginia Dudyk Maitland began active duty on November 16, 1944, and was discharged June 16, 1947. She was a member of the Naval Reserve until April 15, 1949. Following boot camp at Hunter College, Virginia was assigned to clerical duty for the Navy Department in Washington D.C. She lived in WAVE barracks along the Potomac River. Virginia spent 28 years as a secretary in the engineering department of Spartan Electronics, retiring in 1989. For 21 years of this time, she also held a second job as a week-end pianist. Treasurer Pat Saint Amour has been our faithful treasurer for many years. We even amended our bylaws to allow her to serve again. She enlisted in the Navy in 1966 and served active duty as a corpsman at NAS Moffett Field, CA. She is still an active Reservist with the Lansing USNR unit, and works full-time as a division quality control manager at Twin City Foods. Pat is a charter member of Unit 32. She has served as president, vice president and treasurer. Her husband, Jim, is the uncomplaining assistant who accompanies her to Unit 32 meetings. |
Words from the President…. On June 3 at the Unit 32 meeting I’ll pass on the gavel. This gavel is the symbol of the trust placed in my hands one year ago when I was elected to this leadership position. I’m very grateful for having had the opportunity of serving with a very exceptional group of women. They willingly drive many miles to share a few hours of warm camaraderie. Seeing so many loyal members on these occasions makes all the planning for a function worthwhile. The percentage of members attending our luncheons is much higher than at community meetings I attend at home. We can be proud of our attendance record and of all the persons whose contributions make Unit 32 a strong organization. Each and every one is vital to our success….
We have established projects of providing personal "ditty" bags for women entering VA hospitals and assistance to our own members in times of need. We make memorial donations to the Great Lakes Museum in honor of our deceased members, and send certificates expressing our sorrow to their families. We support WIMSA, the proposed Michigan Vietnam monument and other causes pertaining to women veterans. We have two key board members...our treasurer and our Shorelines editor... who keep our unit functioning smoothly. Pat Saint Amour is much more than a treasurer. In addition to handling our money transactions, she takes luncheon reservations, has unit data on her computer, keeps membership lists current, contacts families of deceased members, and does many other yeoman chores. Dolores Maillette is more than just an editor; she is a super editor. I receive many organization newsletters, including some done by paid staff and some produced by journalists, and Shorelines is far superior in content, presentation and readability. (Ed. Note: Thank you, Marion! I’m blushing.) Two members I’m especially indebted to are Shirley Croucher and Bettie Johnson. They filled in for me and kept our group operating at the beginning of my term when I was out of commission. To each and every one of our members and friends, I say with great sincerity: Thank you! It has been a wonderful year serving you!- Marion |
