The Morning Muster: A Column For and By Veterans

Each year on June 12, Americans observe Women Veterans Recognition Day, honoring the generations of women who have served in the United States Armed Forces and recognizing their contributions to our nation’s defense. The date commemorates June 12, 1948, when President Harry S. Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, allowing women to serve as permanent members of the regular military.

A Legacy of Courage: From Spies to the “Six Triple Eight”

During the American Revolution and Civil War, women served as nurses, spies, couriers, and support personnel. Their roles expanded significantly during World War I, when more than 33,000 women served. Among the most notable were the “Hello Girls,” female telephone operators in the U.S. Army Signal Corps who bravely connected crucial battlefield communications in France.

During World War II, more than 350,000 American women stepped up and served in the: 

– Women’s Army Corps (WAC)

– Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES)

– Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)

– Marine Corps Women’s Reserve

– Army Nurse Corps. 

Millions more contributed on the home front as “Rosie the Riveter,” the cultural symbol representing women who entered factories, shipyards, and defense industries to fuel the war effort. One of the most remarkable military units of the era was the all-Black, all-female, 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, affectionately known as the “Six Triple Eight,” who cleared massive backlogs of mail for millions of soldiers in Europe. 

The Heartbreak and Heroism of Vietnam 

Nearly 11,000 American military women served within Vietnam, mostly as nurses. Army, Navy, and Air Force nurses provided lifesaving care in combat hospitals, evacuation units, and field medical facilities. Working under dangerous conditions, they saved countless lives and established a lasting legacy of courage and compassion.

However, returning home was not easy for these women. They were initially shut out of traditional veteran organizations, denied care at VA facilities, and retired to families who did not fully understand the horrors they had experienced.  

We see this legacy right here in our community. Hudson Valley resident and Army nurse Edie Meeks frequently speaks about the profound trauma of taking care of “her boys” in Vietnam and the battles she ensured during and after her service. Today, she still lives and works in our area, serving with honor, compassion, and grace.

A New Era on the Front Lines

During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the Gulf War, approximately 41,000 women deployed to the Persian Gulf region. In 2015, the Department of Defense opened all combat occupations and leadership positions to qualified women, including infantry, armor, and special operations roles.

Today, women serve in every branch of the U.S. military and comprise approximately 18 percent of the active-duty force and about 21 percent of the National Guard and Reserve. More than 2.1 million women veterans currently live in the United States, representing approximately 11 percent of the total veteran population.

Confronting Unique Challenges

Despite their growing numbers, women veterans often face unique challenges after military service. Studies have identified higher rates of military sexual trauma (MST), chronic pain conditions, and difficulties accessing gender-specific healthcare or reproductive services. Many juggle heavy caregiving responsibilities, and increased risks of financial instability and homelessness. Some women veterans also report feeling invisible within veteran communities traditionally perceived as male-dominated.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is actively working to change this. In 2024, the VA reported its largest annual increase in women enrollment, adding more than 50,000 women to the system. Still, it is estimated that less than 50% of all female veterans are enrolled in VA Healthcare. Specialized services available within the VA system include primary care, gynecology, maternity care, mental health treatment, military sexual trauma counseling, and reproductive health services. The Women Veterans Call Center (855-829-6636) provides assistance with benefits, enrollment, and healthcare navigation.

Serving with Honor Close to Home 

In New York, women veterans can access support through the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services, which offers benefits counseling, housing assistance, and specialized support for MST survivors.

Within Rockland County we have the county veterans office headed by Susan Branam, former Captain and helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army. 

Marine Corporal Megan Leavey from Valley Cottage, whose likeness with her K9 partner Rex can be seen at the Haverstraw Bay Park Gulf War Memorial, served in Fallujah and Ramadi. 

The county held a ceremony in March to honor U.S. Army Captain (Ret.) Emily Klinkenborg, presenting her with the Freedom Award for her outstanding service. 

As County Executive Day noted during the ceremony, “Acknowledging those who have worked and sacrificed to protect the freedoms we enjoy is crucial… Particularly women whose contributions to building and protecting our country have long been overlooked.”

We See You, and We Thank You!

Although not yet recognized as a federal holiday, Women Veterans Recognition Day serves as an opportunity to celebrate the service, sacrifice, and achievements of the millions of American women who have worn the uniform. 

It would be wonderful to see more women veterans and hear their stories. If you or a woman you know served, thank her and ask her about her time in the ranks. From the Hello Girls of World War I and the Six Triple Eight of World War II to Vietnam nurses and today’s combat leaders, women veterans have helped shape the history of the United States military and continue to strengthen our nation through their service and leadership. To women veterans past and present, we see you and we thank you.