Pictures and pages of female military history lined the walls of the Alameda Naval Air Museum’s bird’s nest on Thursday, June 12, as men and women alike gathered to celebrate female veterans and active-duty community members.
The event commemorates the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, enacted in 1948, which allows women to serve in the U.S. armed forces outside of wartime. Because of this act, June 12 is recognized in 12 states as Women’s Veterans Day, with California officially proclaiming it in 2015.
“Women are the fastest growing part of the veteran population,” said Lisa Brunner, Air Force veteran and chair member of the Veterans Affairs Commission. “The only women who were recognized as part of the regular military were nurses, so events like these are making people aware that women have always been there.”
Bonnie Bouey, a Navy Nurse Corps lieutenant veteran during the Vietnam War, said she appreciates seeing other women like her who dedicated themselves to serving the country.
“When we got out [of the war], nobody would recognize us for anything we did, so having this recognition means a lot to me because nobody ever said ‘thank you,’” Buoy said. “We have a certain sisterhood that is just indescribable. It’s a community.”
The ceremony also honored keynote speaker Trisha Kelly, who is in active duty as Commanding Officer of the Naval Reserve Center in Alameda with a Quilt of Valor, along with Army Veteran Liz Rush. Both quilts were presented by Michelle McCumber and handmade by sisters Nancy and Judy Hem.
A Quilt of Valor, awarded to an active duty member or veteran of the military who has been touched by war, is a way of saying thanks for their service and sacrifice for the nation, as the foundation’s website explains.
“This quilt is such an honor,” Kelly said. “We make such a sacrifice by being in the military, so to be honored with this quilt is just so special and the organization is such a good cause.”
Marilyn York, who was a part of the Women’s Reserve of the U.S. Navy during World War II and co-founder of the Alameda Naval Air Museum, was posthumously awarded this year’s Community Award, followed by a speech from Alameda County District 3 Supervisor Lena Tam.
“Women didn’t receive the same status as men did, so it’s to recognize that these women were there,” Brunner said.
Vietnam War infantry recon veteran John Reissenweber attended the event to represent the Professional Golfers Association Helping Our Patriots Everywhere (PGA Hope). The program aims to give veterans an outlet to socialize and learn new skills through golfing. Their most recent large event was a tournament at Corica Park.
PGA Hope, a nonprofit, gives veterans seven weeks of free golf lessons with PGA Hope pros who are trained to look out for PTSD and other impediments that veterans may face.
“We provide all the equipment and have programs taught by women, with no men around,” Reissenweber said. “A lot of women veterans have sexual trauma, and this program is made to essentially deal with that problem.”
The event ended with all of the female veterans and active commander Kelly congregating on the stage for an embrace of shared experience and a group photo.
“Events like this are important because you hear stories about the women who have come before,” Kelly said. “They had to face so much adversity for me to be able to serve as an equal, they paved the way for all of us and future generations.”
Giuliana Means is a contributing writer for the Alameda Post. Contact her via [email protected].
