News

Year of the Military Women declared

By Heather Milbrath

07/09/2013

The United States Navy Memorial (USNM) has declared April 2013 through March 2014 as the Year of the Military Women. According to the Navy website, “This is the first time the Navy Memorial will be honoring not only Navy women, but also the women who have, and still serve in the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.”

The Year of the Military Women event was kicked off on April 13, at the USNM with a new exhibit opening. This yearlong tribute will feature a Leadership Symposia, Commemorative Coins and many other events around the world.

This event is one that should be celebrated in our area as well. Currently in North Dakota there is over 5,000 women veterans. These are often the forgotten veterans but they still have a large place in the military.

Heather Thompson, Commander of the Bottineau Legion Post 42, and a women veteran herself, also feels that women veterans tend to go unrecognized.

“When you’re walking down the street it’s easy to pick out who the men veterans are, but many people forget that many women have served as well.” Thompson said. “They have earned their place among the other veterans as well and deserve to be recognized.”

These women veteran have received some recognition in the county. Last year, the Bottineau mayor and county commissioners passed a declaration to recognize March as Women Veterans Month.

Although many of these woman veterans have been acknowledge, Thompson feels that the women veterans in the county are not as active in the veteran clubs as their male counterparts, like the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Legion or AMVETS.

“I really can’t say why the women aren’t as active”. Thompson said. “It could be because a lot of the women veterans are younger and busy with their families and jobs.”

Thompson and other women veterans are currently working on an all-women veteran’s organization.

“We are hoping that by establishing an all-women’s organization, we can maybe get some of those other women who are currently not active in other veteran clubs.” Thompson said.     

While the all-women’s organization is only in the preliminary stages, Thompson feels it is important for all women veterans to register as a veteran so they can get their due benefits. Currently there are over 30 women veterans in Bottineau County.

The women veterans and active service members in the community include: Beverly Fulsebakke, Brandy (Shultz) Morgan, Brenda Kittleson, Cathy Riley, Chelsey Rockvoy, Deena Defoe, Diana Pastva, Erica Carlson, Greta Pollard, Heather Thompson, Jamie Tranby, Jan Nahinurk, Jane Ofstedahl, Jayme (Pfau) Bromley, JoAnn McCloud, Jodi Hart, Julie Longie, Kalla Marghelm, Karlee Wymann, Kenya Kveum, Krystal Parrill, Lindsey Moen, Liala Marghei, Marit Kana, Mette Omvig, Nicole  Brandvold-Sanchez, Robin Hill, Sara Jo (Heth) Plauch, Sarah Neubauer, Samantha Truckowski, Tayna Boll Mooney, Tessa Sisk, Tiffany Wondrasek, Tina Heth and Valerie Heth.

The Year of the Military Women has a Facebook page where they generate most of their information for those interested.