We Salute This Month's Celebrations

Several special military birthdays and anniversaries are feted in May. This month, the Women's Memorial Foundation salutes:

May 1: On this date in 1921 the Women’s Overseas Service League (WOSL) was established. During World War I, women all over America rallied to the aid of their country and volunteered for overseas service. By the end of the war, thousands of American women had served. The women returned home and scattered across the country, most without the assistance and benefits afforded the male soldiers. The League was formed in May of 1921 to provide aid—financial and otherwise—to these returning women. One of WOSL’s major achievements was to help ex-servicewomen gain admittance to veterans' hospitals. In 1946, WOSL  membership was extended to World War II women. Untold numbers of women selflessly aided the military services overseas, many losing their lives in this service. WOSL has paid tribute to every servicewoman who has lost her life in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom by donating to the Women’s Memorial in her honor. Membership in WOSL is open to all women, military and civilian, who have served overseas with the US Armed Forces. For more information, visit WOSL’s Web site.

May 8: It was on this day in 1945, Victory in Europe/V-E Day, when the World War II Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany. Millions of people in Europe and the US celebrated in the streets to mark the end of war in Europe.

May 13: It was on this date, in 1908, when Congress officially established the Navy Nurse Corps. From modest beginnings with only 20 women, the “Sacred Twenty,” the Navy Nurse Corps expanded greatly in World War I with over 1,800 having served by war’s end. In addition, four had been awarded the prestigious Navy Cross and 36 had lost their lives.  By the end of World War II, the number of Navy nurses had peaked at over 11,086, 16 of whom had been prisoners of war. Men were finally admitted into the Corps because of the critical shortage of nurses during the Vietnam War. Some 1,650 Naval Reserve nurses were mobilized during Operations Desert Shield/Storm and Navy nurses deployed with the Marines during the early months of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In its 101st anniversary year, the Navy Nurse Corps continues to be a prominent part of the Navy medical establishment, with nurses deploying all over the world, participating in humanitarian missions, and supporting the Global War on Terror.

May 15: It was on this day in 1942 when the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was established (though it is actually celebrated on May 14), with the signing of Public Law 554. The first of the women’s components in any of the services, the WAAC’s status was curious. As an auxiliary, the Corps and its members were not part of the Army—technically they were civilians working with the Army. Under the WAAC, women weren’t entitled to the same pay, entitlements for dependents or to military rank like male soldiers. If they went overseas, they didn’t have the same legal protections nor did they have the same benefits if injured. Even more curious, there was no legally binding contract that would keep the woman from departing any time she pleased. Nonetheless, to serve in any way they could, thousands of women flocked to join. When recruiting began to slow, as the other services established their women’s components (all as integral parts of the service), legislation was introduced to establish the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), which was signed by the President on July 1, 1943. The WAACs were given the option to join the WAC or leave.

May 16: Armed Forces Day. Celebrated annually on the third Saturday in May, Armed Forces Day was created in August 1949 by then Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson, and stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department—the Department of Defense. Until then each of the services had their own “day.” The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated on May 20, 1950, by parades, open houses, receptions and air shows. In addition to its primary purpose of honoring America’s servicemembers, Armed Forces Day is also an opportunity to educate the public about the military, its capabilities and many roles.

May 21: On this day in 1881, Clara Barton and a circle of acquaintances founded the American Red Cross (ARC) in Washington, DC. During World War I, the ARC grew from 17,000 to more than 20 million adult and 11 million Junior Red Cross members. Among its many efforts during the war, it staffed hospitals and ambulance companies and recruited registered nurses to serve the military. During World War II, the Red Cross again provided extensive services to the US military, Allies, and civilian war victims, enrolling more than 104,000 nurses for military service, preparing 27 million packages for American and Allied prisoners of war, and shipping more than 300,000 tons of supplies overseas. It also initiated a national blood program that collected 13.3 million pints of blood for use by the armed forces. Today, in addition to providing communications services and comfort for military members and their families, the ARC provides domestic disaster relief; community services for the needy; the collection, processing and distribution of blood and blood products; educational programs on health and safety; and international relief and development programs. Women of the American Red Cross who served overseas during conflicts are eligible for membership with the Women’s Memorial. Take your rightful place in history by registering with us today!

May 25: Memorial Day. Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a day to honor those, past and present, who have given their life for our country. The day itself was born from the enormous tragedy of the Civil War, when fellow soldiers and family members in both the North and South decorated the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. After World War I, the name was officially changed to Memorial Day and included the commemoration of all American casualties of any war or military action. Many observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials. Another tradition is to fly the US flag at half-staff from dawn until noon and often volunteers place American flags on each gravesite at National Cemeteries. More recently, the “National Moment of Remembrance” has been initiated (see “National Moment of Remembrance” under the Events section for more information) and several organizations have started a “Love Offering” program (for more information visit our Web site). Memorial Day is a great time to honor a servicewoman, past or present, by registering her with the Women’s Memorial. To find out if a woman is registered, call us at 703-533-1155/800-222-2294 or visit our registration page to download a registration form or to register online.

 

 

(May 2009)