A woman’s place is in the military

Women have long played an important role in the military, prior most visibly as nurses. There is a record of Gen. George Washington asking the Second Continental Congress to authorize female nurses to care for soldiers during the Revolutionary War. They were paid $2 a month plus one meal a day.

Clara Barton, who founded the American Red Cross was a battlefield nurse during the Civil War, and Florence Nightingale was the matriarch of modern nursing. Even in the early 1900s, women nurses were a commonly presence in the military and in World War I, but they did not hold rank did not receive military pay scale, pensions, or veteran’s benefits. Along came World War II, and thanks to Congresswoman Edith Rogers and endorsed by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, the women were officially in the Army — sort of. They were designated as being in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps.

They were given rank and uniforms and many were shipped overseas. But they did not receive overseas pay as soldiers did, nor were they guaranteed protection if captured, and if they were killed, their parents did not receive military death benefits. Yet for openings, for 1,000 WACC, there were 35,000 applicants.

The women went on to great distinction and today, are on equal status with males in the military service.

Roger Gregory is a Vietnam veteran, serving in the 1st Infantry Division, and is business owner in Priest River.