63rd Anniversary of Women in the United States Marine Corps
Otis Willie
http:// www.womenmarines.org
{EXCERPT} Press Release: For Immediate Release Date: January 24, 2006
Ref: 63rd Anniversary of Women in the United States Marine Corps
Contact: Mary Ann Merritt Phone 586-752-9421 Fax 586-752-9421 Email
merri...@comcast.net
It was 13 February 1943 when women were officially instituted as part
of the Marine Corps. Though women have served their country honorably
in the Corps since 1918 it was not until 1943 that the Women Reserves
became an official part of Marine Corps.
On its first-year anniversary, 13 February 1944, a message from
President Franklin D. Roosevelt read: The nation is as proud of you as
of your fellow Marines - for Marine women are upholding the brilliant
traditions of the Corps with a spirit of loyalty and diligence worthy
of the highest admiration of all Americans. You have quickly and
efficiently taken over scores of different kinds of duties that not
long ago were considered strictly masculine assignments; and in doing
so, you have freed a large number of well-trained, battle-ready men of
the corps for action . . . . Today women make up 6% of the Marine
Corps. They join the elite ranks of those who have earned the title
Marine with the same determination and love of Corps as those from the
past. The legacy lives on in the spirit and Corps values that were
instilled in these women as they became Marines. Speaking for the vast
majority of those women who served are members of the Women Marines
Association: "Being a Marine is not something that one did for a few
years. Marine is who we became the day we earned our title and is
never taken lightly, never forgotten and never set aside. The Corps
values that were passed on from our predecessors of honor, courage and
commitment are an integral part of our lives today and will continue
to be the foundation we build upon for future generations." The Women
Marines Association, formed in 1960, is the only non-profit veterans'
organization for women who have served or are currently serving
honorably in the United States Marine Corps. Marines, known for taking
care of their own, work to promote the welfare of fellow veterans
within local communities and wherever help is needed. They will
celebrate their camaraderie, their history and their future September
1-5 in Louisville, Ky at the 24th Biennial WMA Convention and
Professional Development Conference. This conference is open to all
women who have earned the title Marine and their guests. To learn more
about WMA call at 1-888-525-1943 or visit the website at
www.womenmarines.org
-- Otis Willie (Ret.)
Military News and Information Editor (http://www.13105320634.com)
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