October 17, 2025 - VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary honored women serving in the military during a program held Friday, October 17, 2025, on the Center square and before the Shelby County Veterans Memorial.
Mary Roberts, Post Quartermaster, led the program and Larry Hume, Past-Post Commander, offered an opening prayer.
"The history of women in the armed forces began more than 228 years ago, with women who served during the American Revolution and continues through the present day. The women we honor today are a remarkable bunch, in the Revolutionary and Civil War they wanted to serve so badly that they disguised themselves as men," said Roberts.
In 1917, during a time when women had not been granted the right to vote, nurses who were women answered the call to duty during World War I and served everywhere including near the front lines in France.
"Not only were their hours long and tedious, caring for the wounded and maimed, but they also had to deal with the 1918 flu pandemic that killed millions worldwide and many of the nurses themselves," said Roberts.
Roberts highlighted the continuing perseverance of women willing to serve their country as once again they answered the call to duty during World War II, when the armed services opened up the ranks to women, which freed more men up for battle. 77 nurses in the Pacific were taken prisoners of war.
"At Anzio, Italy, six army nurses died from German bombardments. In the mud of Korea, 70% of the army nurses served in a mobile Army surgical hospital battery known as a MASH unit (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital)," said Roberts. "7,500 Army military women served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Army Nurse, Lieutenant Sharon Lane, age 25, was killed during a rocket attack in Chulai, Vietnam. Seven others died in accidents and illness."
Roberts stated that in 1990, 40,000 American women deployed to operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield.
"According to the U.S.O., more than 300,000 women have served during the post-9-11 war, including Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. More than 9,000 have earned their combat action badge. 16% of our nations armed forces are made up of women, 152 have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Roberts. "Today, women command Navy vessels and combat units. They wear general and admiral stars, they fly, fighters, bombers, you name it. We thank them all today."
Zachary McCormick, Post member, placed a memorial wreath in honor of women that served in the military.
Taps was then played as presented by Derrick Roberts, Post Commander, for those women veterans who have died in the service of our country and those who have served and have since passed.
