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Women's Memorial celebrates 15th anniversary

  • Published
  • By 1st. Lt. Kathleen A. Eisenbrey
  • 15th Medical Group
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  The 15th anniversary of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Washington, D.C. will be commemorated Sunday.

The Women's Memorial honors all women who have shown courage, selflessness and dedication in service to the nation during times of conflict and peace and is located at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery.

"Women had lagged behind in recognition for our service to America," said Debra Straight, vice president of the Federal Women's Program at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. "I was thrilled to be a [Women's Memorial] charter member and I attended the dedication ceremony in 1997 with fellow service members and mentors. It brought together women who served our nation in many capacities and from many eras, even World War I women."

Endorsed by the Departments of Defense, Transportation, Veterans Affairs and Interior, the Women's Memorial is the only major national memorial honoring women who have served in or with the United States Armed Forces since the American Revolution.

"Duty. Honor. Pride. These words reflect the spirit of generations of American women who have sought to defend the rights and freedom of others," said Eric Shinseki, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

"At the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, these [three] words come to life in the stories and memories of the nearly two million women who have served in defense of our nation," states the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation website.

Led by the visionary leadership of retired Air Force Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught, construction for the Women in Military Service for America Memorial began June 22, 1995.

The Women's Memorial was built upon the existing 4.2-acre Ceremonial Entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, which was never completed and had been neglected since its dedication in 1932.

Visitors are greeted by the Memorial's 250-foot arched roof that consists of glass tablets inscribed with quotations by women and about women who have served in national defense. The glass tablets illuminate the cemetery hillside at night and serve as skylights to the interior of the Education Center and the Hall of Honor during the day.

Located in the "heart" of the Women's Memorial, a central registry serves as an active resource by providing information about approximately 250,000 women who have registered with the Women's Memorial. Visitors may access the photographs, military histories, and individual stories of registrants by simply typing names into a computerized registry terminal.

The Foundation is actively seeking to register approximately two million eligible veterans, Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve servicewomen. Women from service organizations who served overseas during times of war, as well as Cadet Nurses, are also eligible to register. For information on how to register, please access http://www.womensmemorial.org/Membership/reg.html.

"I strongly encourage all women who have been in service to America to support the monument dedicated in their honor," said Straight.