Eight U.S. women veterans represented the U.S. Army and the U.S Air National Guard. Seven of the panelists were still serving in various capacities in their respective branches.
The first recognition ceremony was started by Angela Gray during her time as VFW Post 1650 Commander to recognize and honor the nation’s women veterans.
“The purpose of today’s ceremony is to honor the history of our nation’s women in military service, recognize some of our communities’ distinguished women veterans, and have some of them share their experiences and challenges in their service to our nation,” Gray said in her opening speech.
The current VFW Post 1650 Commander, U.S. Army retired Staff Sgt. Dorian Rhoten Sr., continues to host the event established by Gray to ensure women veterans know that we thank and honor them for their service and sacrifices.
“There’s so many times that we give recognition for all the work that so many soldiers do and one thing that we as a world forget-- women are part of our soldier life,” Rhoten said. “One thing we have to do is stop separating and discriminating. I’m glad we’re giving recognition to say ‘we see you.’”
The youngest speaker present, U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Kathryn Pakiz, mass communication specialist with the 207th Public Affairs Detachment, opened the panel’s speeches.
Pakiz talked about her journey that started with enlisting in high school and how the military has shaped her to be a better person.
“I had to fight for my place in the military during basic because of my gender and now it feels like I have to fight for the respect of my peers because I’m in the military and doubly so because I’m a woman in the military,” Pakiz said. “Some people in my life ask me if I would enlist knowing what I know now and after experiencing the first 3 years of my career in the military. The answer is yes. Yes, I would enlist knowing what I know and after experiencing three years in the military. I wouldn’t ever change the fact that I enlisted.”
| Date Taken: | 10.13.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 11.02.2024 16:24 |
| Story ID: | 483046 |
| Location: | TOPEKA, KANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 9 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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