U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Jennifer Bock, a recruiter on active duty in Orlando for more than ten years, said she was in awe of the array of female military veterans at the American Legion Post #347 in Lady Lake on Monday for the Auxiliary Unit’s special commemorative luncheon.
As keynote speaker, Bock said she was humbled to be among the large group of women pioneers in military service, and amazed at the amount of American history represented by the women in the room. The women’s military service ranged from four World War II veterans to several who served during Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom.
“You have all truly paved the way for women in the military today, and I am very grateful and proud of you all,” Bock said. Her sentiments were echoed by two other active-duty Marines, Sgt. Elizabeth Rubio from Orlando and Staff Sgt. Shala Boyd, from Kissimmee. “Our generation of women, and those to come after us, will enjoy so many benefits, equality and respect because of what you all did,” Bock continued. “You have changed the way women are seen and valued  in the military and in the world — and for that, we will always owe you a debt of gratitude.”
Bock, who joined the Marines at age 17, was inspired by her older sister, who joined the Navy’s nuclear program and is now a pediatric nurse. “Typically, young women don’t grow up thinking they want to join the military — and neither did I,” Bock continued, ” but I saw how well the U.S. Navy treated my sister, and how it made her life better — so I chose the service everyone thought I, as a woman, couldn’t join — the Marines. Now I am seen as ‘just a Marine.’ I’m not a ‘female Marine’ — I’m just a Marine. We are treated as equals.”
“The Marine Corps. has made me a much stronger, more confident individual. I’ve been married for eight years, and plan to stay married and stay in the Marines,” Bock smiled. “I can’t imagine what it must have been like for you women during World War II, and for women back then in society also,” she said with conviction, to applause. “We have come a long, long way. When I see what is happening in civilian life today, I’m very happy to be where I am. There is a sense of trust, camaraderie and bonding among service members that is like nothing else in the world — it is wonderful. I ask that you encourage young women you know to consider military service.”
“Women make up about fourteen percent of the American military,” Bock cited, “and only seven percent of Marines. Women can have a husband and a family plus a great career in the military. It can be a very good life. The Marine Corps. is actually looking for young women recruits. We hope you retired women veterans will get out and tell your stories. Your experiences will inspire young women in the new generation.”
Auxiliary Unit president Carol Pirone-Udell payed tribute to the veterans’ sacrifices and dedication, and encouraged them to mingle and to take advantage of this opportunity to tell their stories and share their experiences. Commemorative buttons from Florida State American Legion Auxiliary president, Erna Schwabe, which said ‘Lighting the Way for Veterans 2014-15,’ and miniature folded American flags were gifted to the luncheon attendees.
World War II veteran, Adele Walker, joined the U.S. Marine Corps. Women’s Reserve and did warehouse logistics. Vivian Abalon served in the U.S. Air Force from 1944-46. “Back then, during World War II, we all wanted to support the war effort in any way we could,” Abalon said.
Originally from Michigan and then California, Blanche Bruce of Lady Lake, 90, taught aircraft instrumentation to new pilots in Pensacola for the U.S. Navy during World War II; and Elizabeth Stange, 97, served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. as an airplane mechanic. Stange lives with her daughter, Elizabeth Dickau, in Rio Grande II Village.
“During World War II, America didn’t have enough pilots,” Bruce said, “so they had to recruit civilians and we had to train them to fly bi-planes. Of course there were no televisions and no computers back then, and our submarines dropped explosive ashcans — they didn’t shoot missiles. Today is a different world entirely.” When asked why she enlisted, Bruce recalled she did so to win a bet with a male friend — who implied the Navy wouldn’t want her because she was a woman. She joined to prove him wrong! Bruce, who admits she can’t sit still, worked wiring televisions after her U.S. Navy discharge and later worked on several Apollo spacecraft. She also helped inaugurate and build the American Legion Post #347 in Lady Lake, which now has the largest membership in the nation.
Auxiliary chaplain, Mary Feeley and first vice president, Mary La Noce, welcomed the crowd and Peggy Hearlson introduced the dozens of female veterans present individually. Each gave a brief account of her service. Several of the women served in the military during peacetime, doing logistical management, data processing and office work, in medical and personnel services and as aides to general officers at the Pentagon. Many met their husbands while in the military, and most of them said that was a good thing!
Twenty-two year Army nurse veteran, Lt. Col. Mary Sanders, said she was unusual because she joined the service at age 41 and served into her 60s in Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. “Most men and women join the military at a much younger age,” she said. Army veteran Dawn Clark worked in the motor pool with ninety male soldiers. As a woman, Rachel Ettinger, an underage enlistee, was not permitted to join the Army Corps. of Engineers, which she wanted; but instead was shuttled to assist Adjutant Officers. Several women were stationed in Hawaii, Europe, Asia and several recall having traveled around the world once or twice during their military careers.
Air Force veteran, Margo, was the first female to load bombs (1981-85). Another Air Force veteran, Lucy Welch (1963-1984), was lead nurse tending to the mental health of returning Vietnam prisoners of war. “We were prepared to serve them chicken broth, but they wanted steak — so the military had to make them dentures in 24 hours so they could eat,” she recalled. Most had lost their teeth due to torture and poor nutrition. “They got their teeth and steaks at 2:00 a.m. John McCain was one of our patients.”
Maureen Hickman, a 2nd Lieutenant in Korea, flew in a transport plane with 300 soldiers. She turned 21 in Korea, but assured folks she definitely was not ‘Hot Lips’ from MASH. Air Force veteran Vivian Chiasson, was a dental technician in Korea. “I met my husband there — He was my patient, and he still has all his teeth,” she quipped. The Chiassons will celebrate their 61st wedding anniversary this year.
Navy veteran Karen Gonzales, from Ocala, who trained both pilots and submariners from 1976-1980, attended with her mother, Marie Ray from Ocklawaha, who has been a member of the Auxiliary for 47 years. One Navy veteran present represented the Navy at the New York World’s Fair; another Air Force veteran issued flight equipment to pilots and flew in Air Force One and yet another noteworthy veteran has written books, has two Bronze Stars and is now working on her PhD.
“These women are amazing,” Marine Staff Sergeant Shala Boyd said. “I will remember meeting them, and being here today, for a very long time.”
