We Salute This Month's Celebrations

Several special military birthdays and anniversaries are feted in the month of October:

Oct. 7: It was on this day in 2001 that Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) officially commenced in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11—just 26 days prior. To date, 32 women deployed in support of OEF have lost their lives in defense of our nation. To view the complete list of servicewomen casualties from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, visit the Women in the Global War on Terror In-Memoriam Honor Roll on our website at http://www.womensmemorial.org/News/TributePage.html.

Oct. 12: Celebrated since the late 18th century, the Columbus Day holiday commemorates Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the Americas on Oct. 12, 1492. Since 1971, the holiday has been celebrated in the US on the second Monday in October.

Oct. 13: On Oct. 13, 1775, the Continental Congress formed the Continental Navy, from which the US Navy later developed, when it voted to outfit two sailing vessels with guns and manned crews of 80 and send them out to intercept British Army transports. Today more than 328,000 sailors serve on Active Duty in the US Navy, 16 percent (some 52,500) of whom are women. Some 19,700 women (about 19 percent of the force) serve in the Naval Reserve.

Oct. 18: Fourteen years ago, on Oct. 18, 1997, the Women In Military Service For America Memorial was dedicated and opened at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery. After nearly a decade of planning, the groundbreaking took place on Jun. 22, 1995, and by dedication in 1997, the $22.5 million memorial was completed. Today, some 150,000 visit the Memorial annually and it remains the nation's only major memorial to honor women who have served America during all eras and in all branches of service. Learn more about the “making” of the Women's Memorial in the "About the Memorial" section of our website at http://www.womensmemorial.org/About/welcome.html.

Oct. 20: It was on this day in 1978 that the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) was officially disestablished and its nearly 53,000 members integrated into the Army. Initially established in 1942 as the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), its members served “with” the Army with no military status, rather than “in” the Army. By 1943 it was clear that the auxiliary status was an impediment and legislation was passed establishing the WAC. In response to the nation’s massive mobilization effort, the WAC soon became the largest component of women in any of the services, with some 150,000 women serving in every theater of the war. In the following years and until its disestablishment, the WAC was the only separate component of women in any of the services.

(October 2011)