NEWS FROM….

CONGRESSMAN LANE EVANS

RANKING DEMOCRATIC MEMBER

COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS

    U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Washington, DC – Lane Evans of Illinois, Democratic Leader of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, today recognized a special observance held to honor the women who have served in the Armed Forces. "None of us," Evans said, "who have served in our country’s armed forces will ever doubt the importance of the service of women in the military. Accounting for an increasing percentage of those in uniform today, women now hold positions of leadership and achievement few would have predicted, even as recently as World War II."

Evans informed Congress of the third annual observance held at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, honoring women who have served in the armed services, "some of whom have made the ultimate sacrifice so that Americans may enjoy the liberty and freedom we too often take for granted," he said.

"From our nation’s beginning to the present, women have answered the call to duty without hesitation," said Evans. "Like their male counterparts, they put their lives, their goals, and their dreams on hold to serve their nation."

Evans cited the milestones of women’s many roles in American military history, from the Revolution through the present. Some 350,000 served in the Second World War, he noted, while 265,000 women served during the Vietnam War and approximately 35,000 women served during the Persian Gulf War.

"I join with many of my colleagues today in saluting the women who have proudly and honorably served in our Nation’s military," said Evans. "The debt which we owe them is great and it is most appropriate to pause today to pay them tribute for their individual and collective contributions to our Nation."

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Honoring Women Who Have Served, Fought and Died for Freedom

From our nation’s beginning to the present, women have answered the call to duty without hesitation. Like their male counterparts, they put their lives, their goals, and their dreams on hold to serve their nation.

Women’s participation in the military dates back as early as the Revolutionary War when in June of 1778 at Monmouth Courthouse a woman came to the aid of General George Washington and his weary troops. Moving across the battlefield binding wounds and dispensing water, this woman, who became know as "Molly Pitcher", noticed that one of the gun positions had ceased firing. She quickly put down her water pitcher, took over the gun position and fired her cannon. She stayed at her station until relived by artillerymen. Historians recorded her deeds and actions and while her true identity is not known, "Molly Pitcher" is representative of the women who served with the Continental Army in our country’s fight for independence.

During World War I women served as nurses in the armed forces. By the end of the war, 34,000 women had served in the Army and Navy Nurse Corps, the Marines, and the Coast Guard. These women served with honor not only on American soil, but overseas as well. Three Army nurses received the Distinguished Service Cross, a combat medal second only to the Medal of Honor. Twenty-three received the Distinguished Service Medal, the highest non-combat award. Many received foreign medals and some 38 women made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation and were buried overseas in U.S. cemeteries.

World War II ushered in a new era of service for women in the military. In 1942 laws were passed establishing the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, the Navy Women’s Reserve, the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve, and the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve. With the signing of the Integration Act of 1948, women were given permanent, legal status as enlisted personnel. By the end of the war, roughly 350,000 had served in the armed forces in virtually every occupation outside of direct combat. These women all had two things in common – they had all volunteered and they had a desire to serve their nation.

The record of women’s service to the Armed Forces does not stop with these early wars. Some 265,000 women served during the Vietnam Era and approximately 35,000 women served during the Persian Gulf War. There can be little doubt that these brave women performed a valuable role in service to our nation. Historical documents are full of testimonials attesting to the excellence of women’s service, disciplined character and overall positive effect on the armed services. The brave women who served and continue to serve this nation deserve our respect and gratitude.

None of us who have served in our country’s armed forces will ever doubt the importance of the service of women in the military. Accounting for an increasing percentage of those in uniform today, women now hold positions of leadership and achievement few would have predicted, even as recently as World War II.

Today a special observance will be held to honor the women who have served in the Armed Forces. Fittingly, this observance will be held at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial. This will be the third annual observance, honoring women who have served admirably in our armed services, some of whom have made the ultimate sacrifice so that Americans may enjoy the liberty and freedom we too often take for granted.

Dedicated on October 18, 1997, the Women's Memorial is an inspiring monument that honors and illustrates America's servicewomen throughout history. Sited at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, it is the nation's only major national memorial honoring women who have served in uniform in and between our Nation’s wars.

I join with many of my colleagues today in saluting the women who have proudly and honorably served in our Nation’s military. The debt which we owe them is great and it is most appropriate to pause today to pay them tribute for their individual and collective contributions to our Nation.