 "In the military, it takes a team to be successful and complete the
mission at hand. Since the Revolution, women have been a part of
this team, honorably serving to protect our freedoms," said IDVA
Director Dan Grant. "During Women's History Month, we take time to
recognize and honor the brave women who answered our nation's call
to duty. Today, we proudly salute the accomplishments made by these
courageous women and want to let them know that their service and
sacrifices will never be forgotten."A number of veterans
organizations participated in the "Salute to Women Veterans" event
at the James R. Thompson Center. The event included displays,
informational booths and a formal program with Capt. Gracie
Scambiatterra, 126th Air Refueling Wing of the Illinois Air National
Guard, as the keynote speaker. At the event, the director of the
Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs honored and presented Army
Spc. Danielle Green-Byrd, a wounded Iraq war veteran from Illinois,
with a special award for her service.
The text of the governor's proclamation follows:
WHEREAS, throughout
history, women have displayed their patriotism by courageously
serving in the various branches of the United States Armed Forces;
and
WHEREAS, although
women did not officially receive permanent military status until
President Harry Truman signed the Women's Armed Services Integration
Act in 1948, they have served and distinguished themselves in times
of peace as well as during every major conflict since the birth of
our great nation; and
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WHEREAS, prior to 1948, women served in numerous support roles both
on and off the battlefields in such capacities as nurses, saboteurs,
cooks, mechanics, clerks, telephone operators, and drivers; and
WHEREAS, today,
there are approximately 350,000 women, or almost 15 percent of the
active duty, reserve and guard units, enlisted in the various
branches of the United States Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, on March
30, in honor of women's history month, the Illinois Department of
Veterans Affairs will host a "Salute to Women Veterans," to
acknowledge the numerous sacrifices and accomplishments made by the
brave women who have served our country through military service:
THEREFORE, I, Pat
Quinn, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby proclaim March
30, 2009 as WOMEN VETERANS RECOGNITION DAY in Illinois, and
encourage all citizens to honor those women veterans who have
courageously served our country.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Veterans' Affairs
file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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