 Scan this QR code to find a full photo gallery from the September Western ND Honor Flight or click the link here: https://www.ndliving.com/wnd-honor-flight-10-photo-gallery |
In its 10th trip to Washington, D.C., the Western ND Honor Flight escorted 111 veterans this September to see national monuments and the war memorials created in their honor. On board, veterans from the Berlin Crisis, Korean War and Vietnam War eras took their seats for a whirlwind 48-hour trip. For many, their service was without fanfare, and their stories remain largely untold. But the trip offered veterans a moment to recognize their sacrifices and place their experiences where they belong: at the forefront of our nation’s story.
Five women, a record for the Western ND Honor Flight, made the trip. Each of them served during the Vietnam War era, representing an often-overlooked part of American history. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports more than 265,000 women served in the military during the Vietnam War. At the time, women were barred from combat, but held vital roles such as nurses, physicians, support staff and communications specialists. As the war neared its end, they became leaders, intelligence officers, mechanics, engineers and so much more.
History has often focused on the battlefield experiences of the Vietnam War, but many women also served their country with skill, courage and dedication. The following stories highlight two women from the shadows of history, stepping forward to help complete the fuller story of a generation who answered the nation’s call.
