Veteran's Day 2017

Veteran's Day 2017 is coming up. As always, AN salutes all of our veterans....

Veteran's Day 2017

Veteran's Day is a day set aside to honor veterans. Its a day when veterans get some of the bennies that they have earned from serving in the US military. Some of these include: free meals, discounts at stores, parades, and other ceremonies honoring their service.

Recently I was sent a link about the Military Women's Memorial, located in Washington, DC at Arlington National Cemetery. Fitting, that its at Arlington National Cemetery - a place held in reverence by many, isn't it?

Women in the US military have served proudly and with great bravery for many years:

More than a decade after she helped kill 27 insurgents who ambushed a supply convoy in Iraq, Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester still thinks about it almost daily.

In 2005, amid burning trucks, exploding grenades and the piercing sound of machine guns - Hester and her comrades were outnumbered five to one in an intense firefight that would put her in the military history books. She received the Silver Cross for her courage in the face of combat. Because of her and her fellow soldiers, the convoy got safely back to base that night.

A quick history reveals that Sgt Hester was not the first woman to fight under combat conditions:

For more than 150 years American women have been struggling to fight alongside men, according to the US military. Here's a brief timeline:

  • Civil War: More than 400 women - Union and Confederate - fought by disguising themselves as men
  • World War II: Female troops are limited to non-combat roles
  • 1976: US military academies admit female students
  • 1983: Women are allowed to pilot helicopters in an armed conflict
  • 1989: A woman first commands US combat troops
  • 1993: Jeannie Leavitt becomes the first female Air Force fighter pilot

Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Jennifer Richardson, 41, describes her combat experience as a satellite communications operator in the Iraq War as "certainly intense."

In 2006, while serving with the Marines' 9th Communications Battalion, Richardson and her fellow Marines came under attack while setting up a gun position and communications antennas on the roof of an abandoned school in Fallujah.

"AK-47 rounds were impacting the water reservoir just inches away from our maneuver positions, and mortar rounds were being lobbed around the school yard," she told CNN via email. "It never occurred to us to retreat. It was imperative for our communications to be emplaced for our commander to have a visual on the battlefield."

Even before her first combat deployment, Richardson made her initial commitment to serving her country in any capacity, including accepting risks that come with the job.

allnurses.com is proud to salute our military veterans. Our own, Pixie.RN served overseas and has written several articles about her experiences:

Deployed Army Nursing: 101 Things I Learned While Deployed - she deployed to Afganistan with an FST (forward surgical team) for 9 months and shared many of her experiences with us on AN.

Deployed Army Nursing: Finally Double Digits - the different military branches do the same task differently and have different words for the same thing. However, one thing they all agree on is the concept of being "short." Short-timers are those service members who will be PCS'ing (moving permanently), being deployed or transferred "soon." There is always a countdown.

So...in this article I have highlighted the actions of female service members. This is not to the exclusion of our male counterparts, just giving a fair shake to the ladies too this time around.

Next time, you see a female with a US Veteran's tee shirt on, don't assume that she is wearing her husband's clothes - women have served proudly and continue to serve this great country on a daily basis.

Thank you for your service!!!!!

Here is a short YouTube video about the memorial:

How about a roll call for all veterans?

Give your military service and any other info you'd like to share!!!

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traumaRUs

About traumaRUs, MSN, APRN

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Well, I guess I'll go first:

USN 1977-1980, stationed in Orlando, FL, Indianapolis, IN and Yokota AB, Japan

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U. S. Marine Corps, 1976 - 1996

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.
U. S. Marine Corps, 1976 - 1996

Thanks for your service! My hubs retired from the Air Force in 1995.

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Specializes in USN Veteran, President NNBA.

4 years ago I visited each of the areas discussed in the video. Having served in the Navy, I especially liked hearing the WWI navy veteran speaking about when she served, women didn't have the vote! I spent a long time at the Vietnam's Women memorial which moved me to tears. I was happy sharing that day with my husband and daughter. Each Veteran's day I buy my red poppy, I am grateful for having served and I am thankful to all those who have served and are currently serving in our military. Thank you for sharing this article.

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.

USAF 1982-1985

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Love the article. However, if you really want to help veterans, start pushing your state nursing leadership to recognize the experience and training of US Armed Services Medics, Corpsmen, and Health Technicians. Too many get end their tour not knowing that they are not able to get into a nursing school because their state doesn't know the first thing about them. It's disgraceful and a waste of talent and training.

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Not a service member myself, but proud wing mom to a son serving in the USAF, 2016-present!

thank you to all who have served and continue to serve! I carry you all in my heart daily!! ❤️ Bless you all

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Nuclear launch officer, USAF, 2002-2011. Currently serving in the Air National Guard as a space operator. Thanks to all my fellow servicemen and women for their dedication to our country.

~Mike

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