Courtesy Photo | Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Eckwood (left), the Rakkasan equal opportunity non-commissioned...... read more read more
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By Capt. Allison Flannigan
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division
CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – Rakkasan and Falcon Soldiers celebrated Women's History Month with speeches, poems and music at the Camp Striker dining facility, March 5.
The "women in the military"-themed event was hosted by the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division and the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. Performances included the reading of two poems, a speech about women's military history, singing of Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide," and a slideshow featuring photos of famous women throughout history and Falcon and Rakkasan Soldiers serving in Iraq.
Guest speaker Maj. Elizabeth Grossart, a medical provider with Company C, 626th Brigade Support Battalion, spoke about Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, a woman who inspired Grossart's military career. Her speech told the fascinating story of a unique woman in military history.
In 1855, Walker graduated medical school. She was refused an appointment as an Army surgeon because of her gender. After seven years of persistence, she was finally granted a job as a battlefield surgeon but was recognized only as a volunteer and worked without pay.
Walker treated wounded Union Soldiers on the battlefield during the Civil War, was held as a spy and beaten in a Confederate prison. After she completed her Army service in 1864, Walker went on to work in a Clarksville, Tenn., orphanage.
In 1866, President Andrew Johnson awarded her the Medal of Honor in tribute to her service to her country. To date, she is the only female recipient of the nation's highest military honor.
"She had the courage to pursue the even more difficult task of being a Soldier," said Grossart, from New Lenox, Ill. "You have chosen to do the same. I am proud of you and your work here. You ladies motivate me; I'm proud to be counted among you.
"I'd like to think that each one of us has an obligation to carry a little piece of Mary Edwards Walker's spirit because it is this spirit that enables us to serve with courage as females in the Army," Grossart said.
Grossart ended her speech with a quote attributed to Dr. Walker, "Let the generations know that women in uniform also guaranteed their freedom."
Spc. Keisha Fisher, a medic with Company C, 626th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, was moved by the speech.
"It was really humbling to come in here and for somebody to say, 'you're awesome for doing this,'" said Fisher, from Fayetteville, Ark.
| Date Taken: | 03.05.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 03.06.2008 14:59 |
| Story ID: | 17080 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 470 |
| Downloads: | 209 |
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