Marine Corps Base Quantico -- Past, present, future: Historic Women Warriors
A one-hour bus trip from Quantico, Virginia to Washington, D.C. offered the women’s group aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico —consisting of 40 Marines, civilians and sailors — an opportunity to celebrate National Women’s History Month on March 30. They reflected on the seen and unseen contributions of women.
The day began with a scenic walk through Arlington National Cemetery, where the group visited the John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame, the former president’s memorial and gravesite. The group then went on a tour of The Women In Military Service For America Memorial, an underground Hemicycle tucked in the corner of the cemetery, which was completed in 1997.
The memorial was built as a ceremonial entrance to the Arlington National Cemetery, but was never used for that purpose. Instead it honors the past and acts as a bridge to the thriving city of Washington, D.C. “That bridge is the women in the military,” said Olga Zoltan, the memorial tour guide and registration clerk.
“It’s important to understand the history of men and women that paved the way for us,” said 14-year veteran Gunnery Sgt. Courtney Baskwell, Enlisted Professional Military Education branch institutional effectiveness manager. “Things were not always as easy for women in the military, I had no idea how much they have been through.”
Quantico’s group will soon be added to the more than 260,000 women warriors registered at the museum. Currently, there are 201,000 women serving on active duty in the U.S. military, and 14,100 of those women are Marines, according to the U.S. Department of Defense website. They will continue to add to the legacy of women throughout the military.
“Let the generations know that women in uniform also guaranteed their freedom,” were the words of retired Army 1st Lt. Anne Sosh Brehm, World War II Army Nurse Corps.
The group watched a short film at the memorial, which featured testimonials from women in combat and noncombat zones serving in every rank in almost every conflict.
“Whether they were disguised as a man or employed as a nurse, to see how women served was really inspiring,” said Sgt. Berkeley Attig, a military police officer in the Security Battalion, about the video. “I understand what has occurred in the military in the past 15 years, but I did not know women have served since the beginning of the revolution.”
Women shall be remembered in history because they saved the wounded and comforted the dying. During WWII more than 12,000 women supported the war as clerks, motor transport operators, and fingerprint specialists and were taken as prisoners of war. Approximately 6,000 nurses deployed in the Vietnam War, while only a few supported nonmedical service.
“War has shown that women can contribute greatly to the defense of our nation. Women on land, at sea, and in the air served with our fellows,” said Zoltan.
“If you are a female in the National Capital Region, or even a civilian employee, you are welcome to join the women’s group. We are here to build each other up,” said Martinez. “Every woman is welcome to join, no matter the rank or branch of service.”
The women’s group aboard Quantico continues to grow after two years as more women unite each Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Those interested in attending a meeting at Yale Hall can inquire about the location at the chaplain’s office in the Chapel Annex or Yale Hall aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico.
— Writer: iirby@quanticosentryonline.com