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the Radisson Opryland Hotel. This hotel is within the
complex of Opryland. We were able to take advantage of all of the
attractions at Opryland: shopping, tours, cruises, entertainment, free
shuttle service to all of the attractions. At most any convention ‘”FUN”
is also a part of the “Plan-of-the-Day”. They attended the Grand Ole Opry
on Friday evening and it was the highlight of the entertainment. Members
of Unit 94 were invited to attend their luncheon on Saturday. There were a
total of 33 ladies present; 20 of the National Officers and 13 of Unit 94.
Unit 94 has received many emails from the attendees expressing their
‘THANKS’ for the “Southern Hospitality” extended to them by the
unit.
GREEN MOUNTAIN GIRLS
Unit #113 (VT) – The 12th anniversary of the Unit was celebrated at
the American Legion in Vergennes on August 23rd. Thelma “Kitty” Oxholm,
Mayor of Vergennes was the guest speaker. She recently attended a change
of command ceremony for the USS Philadelphia in New London, CT. Her
son, Commander Steven Oxholm took command of the fast attack submarine on
June 6th. His wife, Karen, also came with the Mayor and spoke of her Navy
wife experiences.
OCEAN STATE WAVES
Unit # 118 (RI) – The Rhode Island Historical Society devoted its
entire spring 2003 issue to women veterans of World War II in an article
entitled, “So proudly they served: Rhode Island WAVES in World War II”. It
was a compilation of an oral history project by Ms. Evelyn Cherpak,
curator of the Naval Historical Collection at the Naval War College in
Newport, RI. More than 20 members of the unit were mentioned. The
unit will be participating in the Stand Down for Homeless Veterans in
September and are looking forward to attending the commissioning of
the USS John H. Chafee at Newport on October 18, 2003. |
NA NALU O’HAWAII
Unit # 131 (HI) - Taps have been blown. Unit Past President, Laura
Jacks passed away August 24th at her daughter’s home in South Bend,
Indiana. Laura served during World War II and was very proud of her
military experience. She was responsible for welcoming home POW/MIA
remains from the Pacific Theatre into Hickman Air Force Base, Honolulu.
She was Chairman of the WAVES National Convention held in Honolulu in
1998. Laura will be greatly missed, as she was a very active hard worker
for the unit.
HIAWATHA SHORES
Unit # 137 (MI) - The Unit, of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan,
celebrated their 10th anniversary on July 30th. The July meeting was held
at the Round Lake cottage of President Joy Sleeper, which is near
Newberry, MI. Emma Jean Fowler in Sault Ste Marie, MI, hosted the August
meeting. The September meeting will be held at the Hilltop Restaurant in
L’Anse, MI. The Treasurer, Alice Badgett is ready to start taking the dues
now, so that there will not be a delay in sending in the national dues as
there was this past year. Earlier in July, the unit lost Mary Margaret
Harrington from L’Anse. We remembered her with a corsage, which the
funeral director pinned on her dress. Lucille Schultz and Ruth Sands, both
of L’Anse represented us at the funeral mass at Sacred Heart Church.
CASCADE SEAFARERS
Unit # 138 (OR) - The Cascade Seafarers enjoy joint meetings with
other women veterans group. Their 8th annual Picnic-in-the-Park in
Florence was held with three other groups, including members of Webfoot
and Oregon Lighthouse WAVES. As a celebration of the 61st
Anniversary of the WAVES and the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Korean
War, those women who had served during the Korean campaign, were given
small Korean Veteran flags. The Cascade Seafarers wore the new uniform
vests they had made during spring meetings. The unit joined the three
Oregon WN units on September 20th at the WN Oregon State meeting in
Springfield, |
chaired by State Director Jackie Collison of Oregon
Lighthouse. Veterans Day, the Seafarers will again participate in the
Albany Veterans Parade, reportedly one
of the nation’s finest.
NEVADA GEMS
Unit # 146 (NV) – The unit held election of new officers on June
18, 2003. On June 29th, a Patriotic Program was presented at an LDS Church
in Las Vegas, Nevada. This program was a salute to those who serve us all:
armed forces, police, firemen, scouts, teachers etc. Representing the
WAVES was Chief Yeoman Zina Barnum, USN (Retired) of Unit 146. The program
was presented with history, music and a slide show. It was a most moving
evening for those in attendance. There was audience participation
and there were many representing the armed forces that would stand when
their branch of service was called. The police and firemen would do the
same. It made all of us feel proud to be Americans.
MISSISSIPPI MATES
Unit # 150 (MS) - Memorial Day was observed at Kessler Air Force Base.
Gretchen Breland donated a hand made patriotic quilt for the raffle.
Yellow flag ribbons were also distributed. Eligible guests are always
visiting our wonderful facility, “the Armed Forces Retirement Home”, in
Gulfport, for a tour, and luncheon. Former WAVES host the tours. Donations
have been made to several worthy programs. Members have been speaking to
local schools in the Gulf Coast area.
TIDEWATER TIDAL WAVES
Unit # 152 (VA) – On 19 July, the efforts of Dassa Carvey and her unit
came to fruition with the dedication of the WAVES National Stained Glass
Shadow Box, at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, VA. Unit members, who
recently returned from deployments, are Alesia Thronton-White, USS Nassau
and Command Master Chief Beth Lambert, USS Roosevelt. They shared
their stories at the WAVES 61st anniversary luncheon. The Tidewater Silver
Salts joined in the celebration. |
