|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MEMORIAL TO RHODE ISLAND SERVICEWOMEN |
|
|
Our beautiful Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery was dotted here and there with stately monuments to the honored veterans buried there. Someone in authority realized there was not a monument to the women who served and so, LTC Jeannine Vachon of the Rhode Island National Guard was put in charge of a project to erect such a monument. During the summer of 2000, LTC Vachon put a notice in the local papers to all women veterans in Rhode Island and a committee was formed to bring this idea to fruition. Four members of WAVES National, Ocean State Unit #118 signed up immediately; Arlene Chilton, Sandra Jolly, Ginny Hanson, and Luisa White. Volunteers included women Marines, members of the National Guard, Army Nurses, and other women veterans. The goal was to raise $150,000 and see that a monument was erected that we could all be proud of. We looked for a sculptor and found Rhode Island native, Anne Mimi Sammis, a renowned and internationally known sculptress, who designed for us a bronze statue, 14.5 feet high, of a service woman standing on a globe, holding a flag. She is intended to represent the courage and patriotic spirit of the Rhode Island Women who have served this country from the Revolutionary War through today. Incidentally, there are an estimated 4,500 women veterans currently living in Rhode Island. The committee met every month for lively 2-hour sessions. The main thrust was to raise the money needed. We called on our state, wrote for grants, approached businesses and appealed to our |
fellow veteran organizations (i.e., American Legion, Elks, VFW,
etc.). We had spaghetti suppers, put on a play, set up booths at
Home and Air Shows. We held a car wash and golf tournament. We
sold t-shirts, pins, and, of course, put the touch on our relatives
and friends. We took up positions at the supermarkets on the
weekends (this is where our WAVES National members really
responded). Besides giving their own donations, they took part in
the "Can Brigade" providing a steady stream of income through the
two years of fundraising.
September of 2001, we had a groundbreaking with all the state officials present and wielding shovels. The monument was completed in October of 2002 and moved to the site where it was placed on a granite base with 5 sides, each side representing a branch of the armed forces. The dedicationwas held on Nov. 2nd. This was a proud moment for all the service women of Rhode Island, past, present, and future. General Vaught of WIMSA was our main speaker, and although it was a bitter cold day, veterans were there in great numbers as were our male counterparts and many dignitaries. Following the ceremony was a "Victory Luncheon" organized by Ginny Hanson. We celebrated the completion of our project and received a commemorative plate with a picture of the monument on it. Our beautiful monument stands tall and proud today, a symbol for all generations to come of the love, dedication, and patriotism of Rhode Island women. |
|
OHIO WAVES NATIONAL
UNITS DEDICATE WESTERN |
|
 On
October 11, 2003 Ohio Northcoast WAVES Unit 21 along with Western
Reserve WAVES, Unit 133 from Cleveland, WAVES Fore and Aft,
Unit 72, from Cincinnati, Lake Erie WAVES, Unit 128 from
Toledo and former members from Buckeye Breakers, Unit 65 in
Columbus and members-at-large from the Ohio area dedicated the
first all women’s memorial in the National Veterans Cemetery.
Over a year ago unit 21 members took a tour of the newly developed National Veterans Cemetery and the memorial walkway. We noticed that no memorial strictly dedicated to women was on the walkway. Unit 21 decided to undertake the huge project of having a memorial built and placed on the memorial walkway. We decided that WAVES National Ohio Units would sponsor the monument; however it was appropriate to honor all women that served in all branches of the military. The ceremony took place at the memorial walkway of the cemetery on a clear, warm, beautiful autumn day in Rittman, Ohio. |
The young Marines assisted older members in wheelchairs to the site of
the memorial. Unit 21 President Gloria Galati, along with the
guest speaker, Navy Commander Mike Kovacs, who recently returned
from the Middle East and is currently the Medina County Auditor,
both made remarks. Gloria read a congratulatory letter from the
WAVES National President, Barb Turner, and presented Letters of
Appreciation to Unit 21 Memorial Committee members. Prayers were
recited, the Navy Hymn and taps were played. Gloria Galati and
Dorothy Budacki, Former WAVES National President unveiled the
memorial Stone. The stone stood glistening in spectacular sunlight
of the morning. Mr. Tim Bean, Program Assistant for the Western
Reserve National Veterans Cemetery accepted the memorial stone on
behalf of WAVES National and the Ohio Units. A reception and
refreshments followed the ceremony in the administration building.
|
|
|
