VINTAGE MONDAY: SALUTE TO MY VETS!!!

Memorial Day was originally called the Day of Decoration: A day of rememberance of those who died in our nation's service. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his order and was first observed May 30, 1868 when flowers were placed on graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at the Arlington Cemetery.   The first state to offically recognize this was New York in 1873. By 1890, it waas recognized by all the Northern States.  The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on seperate days until after World War I.

 

WAIT!!!

Now that I've given you some amazing facts about this glorious day, I want you to understand that we were still fashionable. Everybody loved a man in uniform. There is a reason why men love to see women in those nurses uniforms.  WE WERE HAUTE!!!!

WACs: Women Army Corps

WAVES: Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service

WASPS: Women Airforce Service Pilots

SPARS: nickname for the US Coast Guard Women's Reserve.  The name is a contraction of the Coast Guard motto: Semper Paratus and its English translation, Always Ready. 

I have posted pictures below of the different units below. Yes most are in black and white however think about the era. Various shades of khaki, grey and brown.O ne thing I read from a manual published by the War Department in July 1943 stated "Your job is to replace men. Be ready." 

WASPS

WAVES

WAC in Europe

US Women's Air Force Service

I would like to send a special Thank You to Sophia Smith-Pierre, Serene Turner, Lakilla Puryear Laura Ross, Chanda Clifton, Roynika Love-Smith, Keisha Burr and Candy Anderson who are still serving and have served, doing it beautifully.

 To all my menfolk  Judes Pierre, Clement Dickson, Zach Whitfield, Vincent Godette, David Lee Anderson, Ontario Jones Baretta Collins, Earl Murry, Isiaiah Flowers, Jmelle Davis,  Dameon Walker,  David Olvera, Daniel Miller, Peter Garvin and so many, many more I appreciate you dearly.

(In Loving Memory of James W. Gross, I)