Having trouble viewing this email?  View in browser

Special Edition: Women Veterans Recognition Day is June 12

Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, Inc. Our Register is a one-of-a-kind interactive database that records and preserves the names, service information, photographs and memorable experiences of each registered servicewoman. The Register records and preserves the history of the powerful women who have defended this country—both past and present.   From the earliest days of the nation, women have been serving alongside men to gain and preserve liberty, but it was difficult to find them in our history books. There was no repository of women’s service to the United States. That all changed in April 1987.  Not long after legislation authorized the Women In Military Service For America Memorial and ten years before the Memorial would open to the public in 1997, the Register was created. Servicewomen and women veterans were invited to make their military experiences visible by “registering” their service. By completing a simple form with their dates of service, branch of service, awards and decorations, at least one memorable experience, and a picture in uniform, women took their rightful and visible place in history for all time. For the first time in American history, there was a place to learn about the extraordinary servicewomen who defend our country. For more than 30 years, the Memorial has been permanently documenting military women’s experiences and their impact on American, military and women’s history. Visitors are invited to look up servicewomen in the Register and learn about their impact on our collective history. You may purchase a print of individual profiles as a keepsake. If you know a servicewoman or woman veteran—please take advantage of the FREE registration to ensure HERstory joins hundreds of thousands of individual stories that make up our Register. History is not complete until every military woman’s story is told.

History of Women Veterans Recognition Day

     Women struggled to formally serve their country in the American Revolutionary War. They were forbidden to serve, but did so against the law. The existence of women was even suppressed by General Washington himself. Washington once stated, 

    “…the multitude of women in particular, especially those who are pregnant, or have children, are a clog upon every movement. The Commander in Chief earnestly recommends it to the officers to use every reasonable method in their power to get rid of all such as are not absolutely necessary."      

    However, as women followed the Army for shelter and other basic necessities they were equally important to the army.

    During the Civil War women once again served. Like the American Revolutionary War they served in support roles and served in combat even though both the Union and the Confederate armies prohibited it. Women in combat had to dress like men and change their names.

    The Spanish-American War women still continued to disguise themselves as men to fight for their country. 

Why June 12th?

The Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, June 12, 1948:
Congress gave members of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), a branch of the U.S. Army, full service status during World War II. However, the legislation that did so was set to expire in 1948. As early as 1946, Army leaders requested that enlisted women be made a permanent part of the Army. Following two years of legislative debate, Congress passed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act in 1948. The act granted women the right to serve as permanent, regular members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and the recently formed Air Force.

Events across Indiana

Indianapolis Event 

Speaker Kris Bertrand-Glomski, a Veteran Service Officer for the city of Indianapolis. Special thanks to Operation Job Ready Vets for providing lunch.  

Highland event

10 to 11:30 a.m. June 12
American Legion Post 180
8727-8799 S 2nd St, Highland, IN 46322
Corner of Ridge Rd and 2nd Ave.

Refreshments available for attendees and door prizes. Shawndolyn Guy will open the event and explain the meaning of the event. Dee Williams, Army Veteran and 1st District Commander for Indiana AMVETS, will read the Formal Resolution. After the reading of the Formal Resolution, refreshments will be offered while the attendees visit and door prizes announced.

Lafayette event

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. June 12
2100 Cason Street, Lafayette, IN 47904
We invite all female veterans, their families and veteran supporters to attend. The goal for the day is to challenge the perception of what it means to serve as a woman. Come out to learn about local resources, meet female veterans and enjoy comradery. Light snacks, children's activities, veteran resources and raffle.

Seeking volunteers and sponsors.
Contact – Tab Bartley, bartley4indiana@gmail.com

*Both events in Highland and Lafayette will be live streaming the Indianapolis event to their locations. 

The Infantry Female Soldier 

by Cinnamon George

I stand out from the rest.
A female in a male MOS.
Although I may be the opposite sex, I am still a Soldier.
Fighting for my family, my country.
Because freedom isn’t free,
I fight for those I love.
In combat don’t be sad because what could happen,
Be happy for what has happened.
I am the infantry and I have won more than 200 years of freedom.
When I put on that uniform I am not a civilian, nor a female, I am a Soldier.
The men and women to the left and right of me are my family,
Together we will protect what we love.
We are mothers and fathers fighting for our children’s futures and yours.
We will never quit, no matter the circumstances.
No weakness, no hunger, no fatigue will stop an infantry Solider.
Fighting through the foe with the motivation of the people back home.
You may not like what we do, but we do it for you.
To the United States of America, we serve you.
I am an American Soldier!
I am the infantry, follow me!

We would love to hear from you!

Find us: Indiana Veterans Center, 777 N. Meridian Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Feedback: outreach@dva.in.gov

What do you want to see in the Hoosier Veteran Newsletter?

Answer a few questions here and tell us.