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Hunter. It was most interesting. The following
meeting was the 20th of March
and speaker talked about the life of Bing
Crosby. COLUMBIA RIVER RIPPLES
Unit # 70 (OR) - The unit will host the
annual spring luncheon with Unit # 138.
It has been well attended by members
from both units. Good food, good fun
and great for keeping in touch with each
other. Several Ripples members will
attend the Oregon Women Veterans’
Conference. It is always informative and
helpful. Hopefully, it will be an opportunity
to enroll new members. As with all
other units, apparently people willing to
hold office are scarce, but we will have a
full slate of officers available when election
comes up in May.
SPACE COAST WAVES
Unit # 75 (FL) – Forty-eight members
and guests met at the Indian River
Colony Club on February 14 for the
monthly luncheon meeting. The decorations
and the peoples’ attire contributed
to the Valentine’s Day theme. An outstanding
program was presented by
Sojourners Mark Harmon, Fritz Mintz,
and Al McNamee, members of the
National Sojourners Cape Canaveral
Chapter 366, who “built the flag” on a
large display board for the unit. The program
was accompanied by a moving
narration that took the unit on a journey
through American history. Space Coast
WAVES continue to do charitable work
for the needy in the area.
PIONEER VALLEY
Unit # 81 (MA) - Unit 81 will soon be represented
in the Memorial Chapel of the
recently opened Massachusetts Veterans
Cemetery, located in Agawam,
Mass, with a beautiful polished oak
plaque designed and created by Mr. Leo
Cote of Chicopee. The Chapel features
plaques from all veterans organizations
in the area and has reserved a special
spot for Unit 81. A dedication ceremony
is planned for May. In other news - Pres- |
ident Carolyn Prunier is proud to report
that all 50 members have paid dues for
the new year, and plans are moving forward
for a “train brigade” to the National
Convention in Philadelphia.
CONNECTICUT MARINERS
Unit # 82 (CT) – July found members
traveling to Essex for lunch, a ride on the
Essex Steam Train, and a cruise on the
Connecticut River. Three new members
were welcomed into the unit. The unit’s
first tag sale was very successful. Operation
Hope Thrift Store, which supports a
homeless shelter, received items not
sold at the sale. Eileen “Lee” Corliss,
managed (in spite of cold, wet Northeast
weather) a garden plot in a community
garden. Most of what Lee grows (tomatoes,
melons, squash, etc.) is donated to
her church and friends. She is considering
entering her 10-lb butternut squash in
the Guinness Book of World Records.
The unit’s Christmas donation was made
to a women veteran’s homeless shelter.
HIGHLANDERS
Unit # 88 (FL) – The unit Christmas
luncheon meeting was held at a local
country club with a good turnout of members
and guests. Donations of pop-top
cans were made to the Sunroom Senior
Center who provides food for shut-in
seniors on weekends. Many donations
of towels, sheets and blankets were also
made to the local Humane Society.
CENTRAL COAST WINDS
AND WAVES
Unit # 90 (CA) - The unit and guests
from San Luis Obispo, Unit # 126 had a
wonderful Christmas party this year. For
entertainment, a four piece band; accordion,
fiddle, banjo and bass was hired.
They started with “Anchors Aweigh”, carols,
WWII music and ended with “Just A
Little Walk with Thee.” Everyone brought
paper products for the Women’s Shelter.
In January, the unit collected Christmas
cards from members and mailed them to
St. Jude’s Children’s Ranch.
COAST GUARD CUTTERS
Unit # 92 (CA) - The unit meeting, held
in connection with the Christmas party
was held at former unit president’s home. |
It’s a treat to gather, talk, eat and enjoy
each other’s company. The unit lost
member Gloria Kahl of West Covina.
Gloria had been a longtime member and
a great addition to the unit. Her friendship
and humor will be missed. One
other member has reached the age of 90
and is doing very well. Plans for 2004
were discussed. Happy New Year’s
greetings to all and hope next year
everyone is home with family.
VOLUNTEER UNIT
Unit #94 (TN) - Tennessee State Senator
Rosalind Kurita was the guest speaker
at the unit’s January 2004 meeting.
She gave an enlightened message on
the Tennessee State Legislative
process. Seventeen members and three
visitors attended. In February the United
Tennessee Veterans Association
(UTVA) hosted their annual Legislative
Reception for the Governor, his Cabinet,
and the 103rd General Assembly.
Eleven unit members were in attendance
and supported issues before the 103rd
General Assembly for benefit of Tennessee’s
veterans. As a result of Senator
Kurita’s visit to the unit in January, the
senate had a Senate/House Joint Resolution
#713 drafted, honoring Tennessee’s
WW II Women Veterans and
ALL members of Volunteer Unit #94.
This Resolution was read before the
Senate and presented to eight WW II
members on Monday, 23 February 2004.
Each WW II member was asked to introduce
herself to the Senate, stating name,
branch of service, duty stations and
length of service. One of the talented
unit members, Merilyn Evans, whose
husband is now on duty in Iraq, crocheted
a beautiful “American Flag
Afghan”. It will be used for a fund raiser
in support of the unit’s projects…”Veterans
Helping Veterans”. The drawing will
be held during the May meeting.
GREEN MOUNTAIN GIRLS
(WN)
Unit # 113 (VT) – Emphasis was placed
on “Women Veterans” at the VAin White
River Junction, VT. Air Force associate
member, Priscilla Murray and the VA
Women Veterans Coordinator, decided
to display a woman veterans uniform
from each branch of service. For the first |
