may 21, 2017

“If you have only one smile in you give it to the people you love.” ~ Maya Angelou

Shero’s Army era

Without a doubt the highlight of our Shero’s Honor Flight was the Women’s Memorial situated at the entrance of Arlington National Cemetery. One of the key components of the Memorial is to catalogue every woman who has served in the United States armed forces. Mom’s entry was one of the first provided to the memorial by former Morgan County Women’s Club President Jewel Smith, an enormous advocate of veterans and women. Alongside Jewell, our Shero and others did what they could from Morgan County to provide support for the memorial’s creation. So, after years of hard work, it was a sad moment when, a few years ago on a trip to DC, there was not enough time for our Shero to visit the memorial. She was convinced she’d never get to see it. However, I think she would agree that it was worth the wait given the reception she received during yesterday’s visit and lunch at the Women’s Memorial. She was the star of the party.

Shero’s registry entry

In case you can’t read the stats of her register entry above, it says PFC Shirley F. (Adams) Terry, born 1942 at Malone, KY; hometown West Liberty, KY; served 1960-1962 in the Women’s Army Corp (WAC) (incidentally, she was assigned to the Signal Corp at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona where she decoded maps for the White Sands Missile Range). She earned the Army Good Conduct and National Defense Service Medals. Of her service she says, “Although my term was during peacetime, for me to have been capable of serving our country was a most memorable experience I will never forget. I shall always honor the memory of my military training and the friends I acquired with great pride.”  

the General meets our Shero

To build the Women’s Memorial, The Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation was spearheaded by Brigadier General Wilma Vaught, here meeting our Shero. Brigadier General Vaught, the first female Brigadier General in the U.S. Armed Forces, was on hand at the memorial specifically to meet mom and the one other female vet aboard the honor flight. As you can see, the women clearly share a bond, and I believe if our trip had ended after that moment, mom would have been just as happy. She never expected to meet General Vaught let alone visit with her. It was a brilliant moment that she will never forget, and it made our 25 hour day totally worth it.

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