White Caps WAVES National Newsletter

I’m the Veteran

I’m the veteran who asked to join your organization.

I’m the veteran who paid her dues to join.

I’m the veteran who stood up in front of you and promised to be faithful and loyal.

I’m the veteran who came to your meetings and no one paid any attention to.

I tried several times to be friends, but they all had their own buddies to talk to and sit next to.

I sat down several times, but no one paid any attention to me.

I hoped very much that someone would have asked me to take part in a fund raising project or something, but no one saw my efforts when I volunteered.

I missed a few meetings after joining, because I was sick and couldn’t be there.

No one asked me at the next meeting where I had been.

I guess it didn’t matter very much to others whether I was there or not.

The next meeting I decided to stay home and watch TV.

The following meeting I attended, but no one asked me where I was for the last meeting.

You might say I’m a good veteran, a good family woman who holds a responsible job, loves her community and her country.

You know who else I am?

THE VETERAN WHO NEVER CAME BACK!

It amuses me to think that they spend so much time
looking for the NEW members when I was there all the time.

All they needed to do was make me feel needed, wanted and welcome.

Author unknown (rewritten from a woman’s point of view)

A HISTORICAL SNAPSHOT!
Althea Seagrave Cheney
Golden Gate WAVES Unit 8

“I received my commission from Smith College
Northampton, Mass. in May 1943. I had been teaching 5th and 6th grade in St. Louis, MO and that summer all we heard was join, join, and join. “Navy, Coast Guard Marines, Army.” I opted for Navy and the rest is history. I was sworn in Dec. ’42 and called up for officer training in February ’43. After Holyoke and Smith, I was commissioned May ’43 and sent to Washington, D.C. I was married at Annapolis, crossed swords and all March 12, 1944. Needless to say, this ended my Navy career but nearly 60 years later, I’ve been a bit involved with other ex-Navy WAVES and have attended every annual area luncheon from 1992 to present. My old WWII uniform is going aboard the Hornet (as a historical garment with the old blue officer stripes). I was ENS Althea Seagrave, later LtJG and then Althea S. Cheney. Three daughters, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren later I’m still on my feet and even driving. I joined “Golden Gate WAVES” a few years ago but seldom attend meetings. I do lunches, however . Good sailing to you delightful young uns.”

WAVES National Authors and Books
Portrait of a WAVE
by Harriet “Holly” Brugmann

The book is based on Holly’s service during World War II, in 1943–1944. She tells about her training in New York and her romance with her future husband. It is a true story of German spies and a submarine Captain. Only 130 books remain to be sold at a close out price of $8.00 plus $2.00 shipping.

Contact Holly at:
4978 Corinthia Way,
Oceanside, Calif. 92056
(760) 758-7735
or hbrugmann@yahoo.com

It’s up to all of us to make sure that what happened to this veteran doesn’t happen to other new members of our great organization. Let’s work to encourage those who will be active to do so and include them in our activities.

Glen M. Gardner, Jr. VFW Texas State Adjutant-Quartermaster September/October 2003 issue of VFW News

COME JOIN US IN
PHILADELPHIA PA
A historic town in a big city!

August 2 - 8, 2004 for
WAVES NATIONAL
CONVENTION
Host Region IX