Over the years, Guilford County government has done a lot to honor veterans.
However, this month, the Board of Commissioners is adding a new twist. The board is singling out female veterans for recognition at the board’s Thursday, June 2 meeting.
That evening, Vice Chair of the Board of Commissioners Carlvena Foster will read a proclamation honoring female veterans across the county.
“As Veterans Day approaches,” that proclamation reads, “it is appropriate to honor a small but growing segment of our veteran population … These women who served in uniform now comprise 4.2 percent of the total veteran population and they have demonstrated their dedication and patriotism in situations that often entailed great hardship and danger. Their contribution to our national security continues to grow as the number and proportion of women in all branches of service continues to increase and their courage, dedication to duty and unswerving fidelity to our Nation’s ideals deserves our sincere gratitude.”
According to statistics from the US Department of Defense, women currently make up 20 percent of the Air Force, 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army and just under 9 percent of the Marine Corps.
Women have been serving in the military in this country since the Army Nurse Corps, which was formed in 1901, but, even before then, women contributed to the country’s military efforts in a wide variety of ways.
Former President Harry Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act into law on June 12, 1948. The Board of Commissioners is therefore planning to designate Sunday, June 12, 2022, as “Women Veterans Day” in the county.
On that day, the board is asking county residents to “salute and remember the women who fearlessly served our nation and … honor our female veterans, and their families, for their outstanding service and remarkable dedication to our Nation.”
Honor all our veterans, from all wars. All gave some, some gave all.
How do I submit a Veteran to be recongnized?
I think this was a long time in coming as all women’s issues are ( equal pay for example ).
There are a number of homeless vets in our community as well. They are shunned everyday by just about all they come in contact with.
If not a statue ( they would probably prefer that money go to help someone else who is homeless ), how about just a simple ” hello ” as you walk passed them. Now that’s recognition !