Olympia, Washington, hosted the first-ever Vietnam Women Veterans (VWV) conference for military women in the non-nursing field, November 10-13, 1999. The 124 women who gathered at Cavanaughs at Capitol Lake represented four services: Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy.

A recap of events follows.

NOVEMBER 10

A large group representing the VWV participated in a ceremony honoring veterans at the Vietnam Memorial on the Capitol grounds in Olympia. The International Association of Personnel in Employment Security hosted the ceremony. Though it was pouring, our women stood proudly throughout the event as they were being recognized as Vietnam veterans for the first time.

OPENING

The conference officially began the evening of November 10 with a Joint Opening Ceremony held in the hotel’s ballroom. The I Corps Brass Quintet from Fort Lewis provided the music, and a Joint Service Honor Guard presented the Colors. SFC Ret. (USA) Carole Gittman, lighted the POW/MIA Remembrance Candle; Precilla Landry Wilkewitz, USA, VWV treasurer, led the Pledge of Allegiance; and Sister Linda McClenahan, USA, gave the Invocation. Following opening remarks by Claire Brisebois Starnes, USA, VWV president, greeting letters from Secretary of Defense William Cohen and BG Ret. (USAF) Wilma Vaught, were read. Letters of greetings, and others, are published on this site.

Brigadier General Ret. (USA) Sherian Cadoria gave a rousing opening speech. Her message: that we “have a special bond which should never be severed.” Following General Cadoria came greetings from 24 representatives from the State of Washington, Olympia and surrounding communities, McChord AFB, Fort Lewis, Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, VFW, VVA, American Legion, AMVETs, American Ex-POWs, SGMs and Chiefs Association, and a Vietnamese delegation. This marked the first time this group of women was officially told “Thank you” and “Welcome home.” John Gwizdak, national senior vice commander-in-chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, gave a moving keynote address which made the audience laugh, cry and reflect.

NOVEMBER 11

Because of the constant rain, Veterans Day event was moved to inside the Rotunda of the Capitol building. At 11 a.m., the VWV took its place for the first time as an official organization among other veterans groups to honor all veterans.

At 5 p.m., the VWV held its own Memorial Service inside the Rotunda. This was the most emotional event of the conference as we remembered the 78 known women who have died since Vietnam. Master of Ceremony was Precilla Landry Wilkewitz, USA. The McChord Air Force Base Color Guard presented the Colors; Sister Linda McClenahan, USA, gave the Invocation; Joanne Murphy, USA, gave the opening remarks; and Mayor of Olympia Bob Jacobs greeted us with moving remarks. The Roll Call of Deceased followed with the reading of the deceased names by SMSgt. Ret. (USAF) Virginia Griffith, representing the Air Force; Sandra Spatz-Wiszneauckas the Marine Corps and Navy; and 1SG Ret. (USA) Marion Crawford the Army. A single red rose was deposited at the Memorial site for each name read. SGM Ret. (USA) Donna Lowery, then read the following poem:

In the rising of the sun and in its going down, We remember them
In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of Winter, We remember them 
In the opening of buds and in the warmth of Summer, We remember them 
In the rustling of leaves and the beauty of Autumn, We remember them
In the beginning of the year and when it ends, We remember them 
When we are weary and in need of strength, We remember them
When we are lost and sick at heart, We remember them 
So long as we live, They too shall live, for they are not a part of us as 
We remember them.

Following the singing of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” by the Gospel Outreach Youth Choir, under the direction of Bonnie O’Connor, COL Ret. (USA) Pat Jernigan laid a wreath in the women’s memory, followed by the Choir’s moving rendition of “The Impossible Dream.”

The Candlelight Tribute came next. Four candles, representing the four armed services that sent women to Vietnam, were lit by Marty Misiewitz representing the Army, SMSgt Ret. (USAF) Alice Anderson the Air Force, Alaine Ivy Thomas the Marine Corps, and Cmdr Ret. (USN) Sally Bostwick the Navy. Each candle of a different color symbolized Grief (purple), Courage (yellow), Memories (blue), and Love (pink). Sarge Lintecum, renown author of “Vietnam Blues,” sang “Sister Soldier.”

Benediction was delivered by Rev. Edsel Goldson, pastor of Tumwater United Methodist Church. The VVA Chapter 512 Rifle Honor Guard from Vancouver, WA fired a 12-gun salute volley in memory of our deceased sisters. The Gospel Outreach Youth Choir sang “Taps” followed by a bugle echo, played by Elaine Claflin. After a final salute by all veterans, the Colors were retired.

Following the Memorial, the women were bussed to the VFW Post 318, commanded by SGM Ret. (USA) Carl Timme, for dinner. The Ladies Auxiliary, under the guidance of Sylvia Benler, hosted this dinner for over a 100.

NOVEMBER 12

Joan Furey, director, Center for Women Veterans, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, opened the seminar portion of the conference.

Seminars on the following topics were presented:

Concurrent with the seminars were the Health Care Fair, VA registration, and domestic violence one-on-one counseling. Also on hand was a VA expert on PTSD. Our conference was plugged into the VA system via computer which allowed the process of identifying, verifying, and approving members with PTSD. These were referred to their home state and will be followed through by the Washington State VA.

The barbecue took place this evening in the hotel’s ballroom. Decorated with a parachute liner hanging from the center of the room and sandbags, the event rekindled many memories. This was a time to relax and have fun. With no agenda to follow, the evening was free-flowing. Whatever was to happen would happen -- and it did. All groups were recognized once more, and anyone who wished to speak could do so. Many memories were shared, and laughter was the rule. John King, director, Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, shared some intimate moments in his opening remarks. Several others took to the podium in impromptu sessions.

NOVEMBER 13

The day was reserved to spend time together. Some went sight-seeing; many stayed behind to spend just a few more hours reminiscing with old and new friends, and going through photos.

CLOSING BANQUET

The Banquet was in the hotel’s ballroom. The Civil Air Patrol cadets and US Naval Sea cadets presented the Colors, which included the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy flags. SFC Ret. (USA) Carol “Teddi” Gittman once again lit the POW/MIA Remembrance Candle, followed by “Going Home” and the National Anthem, played by the American Legion Brass Ensemble. Donna Loring, USA, served as Master of Ceremony. Patricia Babock Schmauch (USA) let the Pledge of Allegiance, and 1SG Ret. (USMC) Bridge Connolly gave the invocation. Jim Bouley, finance officer of the National VVA, gave the opening remarks, bringing greetings from George Duggins, national president VVA.

Dinner began with a wonderful a cappella rendition of “It Seems Like a Long Time” from Fay Conaway (USA), followed by “Under the Boardwalk” which the attendees joined in. A slide show, prepared by Precilla Landry Wilkewitz, was shown during the meal. Many of the photos brought “oohs” and “aahs,” laughter and applauding.

The program continued after the meal with the American Legion Brass Ensemble playing the four service songs, followed by a toast presented to all the services assembled. CPT Ret. (USA) Cheryl Ruff toasted the Navy; SFC Ret. (USA) Anita “Jinx” Wampach toasted the Marine Corps; Maryna “Marty” Misiewicz (USA) toasted the Air Force; and 1SG Ret. (USMC) Bridget Connolly (USMC) toasted the Army. This was followed by an impromptu singing to the Women’s Army Corps Song (Pallas Athena) led by SFC Ret. (USA) Judy McCurdy.

Col. Ret. (USAF) Ruth Ellis Anderson made presentations on behalf of the Air Force women, and gave remarks. Her favorite memory of Vietnam, she said, is that while Tan Son Nhut was under attack, a disc jockey on the radio broke in and announced: “Attention. Attention. The base is under attack. Take cover. Take cover. Now back to recorded music”

The next speaker was Sandra Spatz-Wiszneauckas who shared with the assembly the fact that 31 years prior she had failed to say goodbye to her friend in Vietnam as they arrived in the US together. At the Candlelight Memorial, she finally caught up with that person, and finally hugged her. This was a wish of 31 years come true. Sandra’s husband also shared his observations as a spouse attending the conference. His message was that the conference was a closure and an opening. He urged everyone to continue to tell their story, for the sake of history.

Donna Dear (USA) then introduced CW3 Ret. (USA) Doris “Lucki” Allen, who brought a message of inspiration. She told the assembly that we are in fact bringing a message to the women of tomorrow.

BG Ret. (USA) Evelyn “Pat” Foote, the keynote speaker, was truly magnificent as she shared her personal recollections of her time in Vietnam. Most everyone in the audience identified with her experiences -- some hilariously funny, others tragically sad. General Foote received a standing ovation.

COL Ret. (USA) Nancy Jurgevich gave the final benediction, and the Colors were retired for the last time of this historical conference.

HISTORY. Throughout the four-day conference, members of the 35th Military History Detachment, CA, with assistance from the 141st Military History Detachment, WA, spent their time collecting historical memorabilia and taping oral histories. A 48-page questionnaire was passed out to all Vietnam veteran to be completed later if they missed the oral tapings. The history of the military women who served as non-nurses finally began in earnest, to be available to researchers, and others.

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