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A salute to women in uniform

This country is indebted to women who break molds, chase lofty dreams and answer the call to service.

Want some proof? Head to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.. At the cemetery’s gateway, you’ll find the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, a $22 million tribute to women in uniform. It marked its 10th anniversary in November.

If you didn’t know such a monument existed, you’re not alone. Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Wilma L. Vaught, president of the Women’s Memorial Foundation, is doing her best to get the word out. She desperately wants service women past and present to know “that the memorial exists to pay tribute to their service. Particularly women serving today — many have no idea that there is a memorial for them.”

It’s only fitting that Vaught oversees the nation’s only major memorial for service women. She’s a Vietnam veteran who served for 28 years and is considered one of the most highly decorated women in history.

Nearly 200,000 people visit the Women’s Memorial each year. It’s an extraordinary landmark, built with the intent of honoring the accomplishments of the more than 2.5 million American women who have served in the armed forces throughout our nation’s history.

The award-winning structure is positioned on more than four acres of land overlooking the cemetery and D.C.’s national monuments.

“It isn’t a statue,” says Vaught, who has manned the helm of the foundation since the memorial’s inception. “It’s a big memorial at a prominent place. It’s an amazing sight.”

Dedicated in October 1997 before an audience of 40,000, the memorial features a reflecting pool, a Court of Valor, magnificent arcs of glass panels and an education center.

Inside the education center, visitors can access the register, a computer database of servicewomen past and present. There, visitors can search for friends, add deceased relatives or read the stories of women who made military history.

Women currently serving or who have served in the past are encouraged to add their own names, stories and photos. The foundation calls the words being collected “herstory.” To date more than 250,000 veterans and service members have submitted their most memorable military experiences.

Nearly every time Vaught tours the memorial, she observes the emotional reactions of female veterans. “Tears roll down their faces as they realize, ‘My time has been recognized,’ ” she says.

Service women now celebrate reunions, promotions and retirement ceremonies at the memorial.

“It’s a place that they want to be at for significant moments in their lives,” Vaught says.

THE REGISTER

The memorial foundation is seeking women’s names, photos and memorable experiences for inclusion in the memorial register, an interactive database. Any U.S. service woman alive or deceased qualifies, including members of:

• the active-duty armed forces

• the Reserve

• the National Guard

• the U.S. Public Health Service

• the Coast Guard Auxiliary

• the Civil Air Patrol

Additionally, the Women’s Memorial honors those who have served overseas during wartime, supporting the armed forces in organizations, including:

• the Red Cross

• the USO

• the U.S. Public Health Service Cadet Nurse Corps

There are several ways to register.

By mail:

Women in Military Service For America Memorial

Dept. 560

Washington, D.C., 20042-0560.

By phone:

(800) 222-2294

(703) 533-1155.

By fax:

(703) 931-4208.

By e-mail:

hq@womensmemorial.org.

For more information, visit the memorial’s Web site, http://www.womensmemorial.org.

HONOR: Our military women