Tulsa American Legion honors female veterans

Female veterans honored at Tulsa American Legion post event
By CHASE COOK
World Staff Writer
Published: 6/23/2012

World War II veteran Pietje Wall served in the Marine Corps from 1945 to 1950, with 13 months of that time on active duty.

Her job during active duty was to help give the military ships returning from combat new orders, she said. It was a time when women were finding their place in the military and were allowed to serve only in limited roles.

Now, female troops are serving in more positions in the military, and the number of female veterans is expected to rise in the coming years, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The United States has about 1.8 million female veterans, and about 26,000 of them live in Oklahoma, according to the VA.

Wall and other women were recognized for their service during a dinner held by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1 on Friday. The dinner is an opportunity to recognize the veterans that may be overlooked, said Maxine Mackie, the auxiliary unit's president.

"It's nice to recognize the ladies and say, 'Hey, we recognize the service you have done for us,' " Mackie said.

Christina Smith, president of the Tulsa Chapter of the Oklahoma Women Veterans Organization, said events such as the dinner are special because they are a reminder that women serve in the military, too.

People often hear male references, such as "bring the boys home," she said, but she asks that people "just remember us all."

"It's a rite of passage to serve this country," Smith said.
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