Photo By Staff Sgt. Stephanie Cross | Cadet Luz Y. Rivera of the Youth Challenge Program in Pineville, La., sang the...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Stephanie J. Cross
Louisiana National Guard
BATON ROUGE, La. – Earlier this month, women from across the state of Louisiana gathered at the U.S.S. Kidd Veterans Memorial and Museum, located in downtown Baton Rouge, La. The 2008 Louisiana Women Veterans Forum not only honors and celebrates women who have served and are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces, but also informs them of the benefits Veterans Affairs has to offer.
Among some of the great women who received awards for serving their country were Louisiana National Guard Soldiers 1st Lt. Danielle E. Hardee and Staff Sgt. Abigayle C. Richard, both of the 769th Engineer Battalion in Baton Rouge, La. They were each presented with a certificate of appreciation for their hard work, support and dedication to the Women Veterans Forum.
"We are very cognizant of our female Guardsmen because of the increase in numbers the National Guard is experiencing," said Lane Carson, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veteran Affairs. "There is a war going on and we want people to be aware of the females who are serving and contributing."
"Fifteen percent of U.S. Soldiers currently serving in Iraq are women," added Precilla Wilkewitz, Louisiana State Women Veterans coordinator. "The challenge for a service provider like LDVA is finding women veterans who have been reluctant to participate in assistance programs thus far."
"With so many women choosing to serve the country overseas, the LDVA faces a greater duty to reach out and offer aid and support in every way possible," she continued.
"After my deployment in 2004, I went to apply for my veterans health benefits and I did not have the slightest idea as to what procedures to take or how to register, because no one explained it to me," said Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, Sgt. Beyonka D. Joseph of Metairie, La.
"I think this was a great opportunity, because not only did it explain the necessary steps to take in order to enroll, but it also enlightened me as to the VA benefits available specifically for me as a female," she added.
"We see the Women Veterans Forum as an ideal opportunity for local women of military service to find out about all of the good we can do for them and to get involved in any programs that suit their needs," said Carson.
Some of the key topics LDVA representatives spoke about were health and wellness, Montgomery Government Issue Bill, troops to teachers, business and employment opportunities, and assistance programs for deployed Soldiers.
The military family assistance program is an emergency support group that is specifically geared toward aiding the families of Guardsmen who have been deployed for 30 days or more, according to Carson. The program was formed so that the family member does not have to burden the Soldier called to duty, he or she can file for assistance through the program.
Throughout the day's events, tribute was paid to the great women who have paved the way for female Soldiers in today's military. Honorees included Brig. Gen. Sherian G. Cadoria (Ret.), the first black female general in the United States Army and the highest ranking female at the time of her retirement in 1990, and WWII veteran, Doris P. Parnell, who served in the early 1940's as part of the first wave of females to go to combat under a bill signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
As of Oct. 1, 2008, there were 26,661 women veterans, and counting, in the state of Louisiana.
| Date Taken: | 10.21.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.21.2008 17:41 |
| Story ID: | 25352 |
| Location: | BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 239 |
| Downloads: | 180 |
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