Placer County honors Women Veterans Day

The Placer County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a proclamation declaring June 12 as Women Veterans Recognition Day in the county. "... Recognizing Women Veterans Recognition Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by women veterans and to promote policies and programs that support their well-being," the proclamation reads. The proclamation notes women's military roles were largely limited to temporary positions, like nursing, before the passing of the legislation. "... Women veterans are warriors," Steve Johnson, Veteran's Services Officer for Placer County, said, introducing the item. "They have served abroad and lead in our communities. They protect our freedoms and build our futures. Today, as we proclaim Women Veterans Recognition Day, we should not simply just observe but rather commit to telling their stories. Our women veterans are amongst us every day as we go about our lives and we ought to get to know them and truly recognize them. On behalf of the Placer County Veterans Service Office, I'm proud to honor all women veterans past, present and future who have worn the uniform of our country. May their courage never be forgotten, their service never be sidelined and their legacy always be remembered and honored." Melissa Washington, a Navy veteran and founder of Women Veterans Alliance, shared with the board June 12 is not another Veterans Day but the anniversary of the signing to the Women's Armed Services Integration Act. According to the Women Veterans Alliance, the act "enables women to serve as permanent, regular members of the United States Armed Forces, and was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman on June 12, 1948. "Before that, women, we've been serving, believe it or not, since the Revolutionary War and with that women had not received the same recognition, the same benefits as our male counterparts did," Washington said, noting there's still more advocating to do to honor the sacrifice of women veterans. "We need to continue to make sure that we recognize and honor those women who have worn the uniform and currently wear the uniform." The board thanked Washington and Johnson for their efforts in highlighting women veterans in Placer. The board approved the proclamation in a unanimous 4-0 vote. Board Chair Bonnie Gore was absent.