Honoring Women Veterans by Greg Kristapovich
Tuolumne County’s Women War Veterans
Tracy Olsen
“It was very humbling to see these women who had served (our country) and said they had never ever been thanked before! I think it was long overdue!” exclaimed Judy Podesta, of the Soroptimist International of Twain Harte, after their recent luncheon honoring Tuolumne County’s Women War Veterans.
On November 10, the Twain Harte Golf Club hosted their “Women Saluting Women - A Luncheon” ceremony in which 26 women from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard and Navy were honored for their service. “Margie Lang was the one who came up with this idea for her club, so I just started talking to some of the male vets that I knew, and they gave me some names (of women veterans),” Judy explains. Fellow Soroptimist, Gloria Escallier, whose daughter Susan Arnold is currently serving Iraq, was Judy’s “right hand woman.” “We didn’t know if we were going to have three or five…and we ended up with 26!” Judy revealed. “They were very thankful and humbled. We learned (at the luncheon) about what women had to go through and how much the women really did put towards World War II. Some of the World War II veterans were looking forward to meeting other women in our area from that war. It was nice that they could connect! I was surprised at how many women we have in our community who served in all facets of the military! And during their standing ovation the ladies’ faces showed their thanks. It really was a very humbling experience for me,” Judy admitted. “It made me cry. And the stories they told! I could listen to their experiences and what they went through all day!”
Pictured are just two of those women who were honored: Tracy Olsen (top), who served in the Navy from 1981-2001, and Jean Howard, M.D., who was in the Army from 1981 to 2001, and again from 2007 to 2008. One might ask what compelled these women to stay in the service so long?
“My pride in America and my pride in being an American soldier!” said Tracy. “I’m very, very patriotic! I had no questions about staying in! My mom wanted me to go to college, and I didn’t want to. I wanted to have a trade as soon as I was done with school. By becoming a hospital corpsman in the Navy, as soon as I was done with my training, I went right in and started working in a hospital!” Tracy was very appreciative of the ceremonial luncheon. “I was amazingly touched!” she added. “I feel very fortunate that I had been asked here, and am quite honored!”
Jean Howard also enjoyed her time serving in the Army.
“There was the retirement and the benefits! But it was also a very interesting career. I got to do a lot of different things that I would not have otherwise gotten to do!” she conceded. “I thought this was a great ceremony, and I really appreciate the Soroptimist honoring all female veterans!”
Each honoree was given a beautiful floral bouquet and a copy of a resolution which stated: “Honoring all women of Tuolumne County currently serving in the military, and those women Veterans who have engaged in conflicts of the past. These are women who have put their careers and family aside for a time to fight for the one principle that has guided our Nation since its very beginning in 1776: Freedom! We honor you and thank you for your service to our country.” It was signed by Teri Murrison, District 3, Chair of the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors.
