With the news of five women marines killed by a car bomber in Fallujah yesterday, there is all this renewed talk over women in combat. What a travesty to take the service of these brave marines and use it to make a political argument. They weren't "women marines" they were US MARINES. They were doing their job and died in the service of our Nation - let's leave it at that.
As a former Army type guy of the 70s and 80s, I can tell you something about women in the miitiary - they are willing, capable and more than able to serve their country even in combat.
Back when I entered the service women in the Army were known as the Womens Army Corps or "WAC, which was formed during WWII. They were on a different side of the post than the men; in their own billets, and received basic and advance training separate from the males.
That changed in 1978 when women began to be integrated with the men into training; units and mission. Howbeit they were still restricted to Miltiary Occupational Specialties that were "non combat related". Yet that began to change as time went on, and in 1991's and Desert Storm women not only served but served with distinction and honor and and courage.
The Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, Inc. is a website dedicated to the service of women in the military from the Revolutionary War through the War in Iraq.
From there pages there are facinating facts you might not know about the service of women to their country. For instance, did you know that "Over 400,000 women served in the US Military during WWII and over 432 were killed by hostile fire, including 200 nurses? Eighty-eight women were POWs?"
You know, sometimes I wonder if in today's political climate, and especially with the type of negative media coverage we get today, would we have the "guts" to fight another World War?
That's a question for another post. But for today take a tour of the Womens Memorial and read of their sacrafice and service to our country, and remember they serve just as capable today.
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