We the People: Honoring our women veterans

WASHINGTON (WNDU) - There are more than 2 million women veterans in the United States.

The Military Women’s Memorial is designed to honor all female veterans and active U.S. military members. It’s located right next to the Arlington National Cemetery, and visitors are able to pay their respects and show their appreciation.

The memorial opened its doors to the public in 1997, and it comes after a lot of women veterans demanded a memorial for them as well.

“We’re their equals, and they’re giving them more job opportunities and more roles for them to play.   And I think that’s good for women,” said Janice Marie Woodworth, a Navy veteran from Elkhart.

Last week, about 80 U.S. military veterans from northern Indiana hopped on Honor Flight 52 from Fort Wayne to Washington, D.C. After visiting various memorials, including the World War II, Korean, Vietnam, and Lincoln memorials, their next stop was the Military Women’s Memorial.

During the visit, three women Navy veterans from Michiana were acknowledged for their service and sacrifices.

Lori Walter and Patti Thomas are twin sisters from LaPaz who served in the U.S. Navy

“I feel like I can leave this for my kids, and it just makes me humbled but very proud,” Walter said. “And just to be a contribution to help keep our country safe was, it’s just incredible.”

“For me, this is a record. It shows that we made a difference. It shows that we had an opportunity,” Thomas added.

Woodworth served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.

This trip was special for Woodworth and an experience she says she will have forever.

“I’ve never been to D.C. before, so I got to cry a lot today already, and I’ll probably cry when I get out of here,” Woodworth said. “But coming into the women’s memorial, because it’s new, and it’s just been finished and everything, I think it’s one of the most important parts for me.”

Woodworth hopes to see more women veterans on Honor Flights, calling for them to sign up even if they didn’t serve during the wartime.

“Today, with the 86 people that came in the van, there were only three women. And the twins and myself, we were the only three. So, three out of 86 isn’t even 5%,” she said.

On their way back to Fort Wayne, veterans were given letters from Indiana students and their loved ones showing appreciation.

After landing, for the first time, they were greeted by hundreds of people expressing gratitude for their service.

This story wraps up our “We the People” series coverage on our Veterans. We’re working on more “We the People” stories shedding light on Americans who devoted their lives to our nation, so please stay tuned.