Virginia Beach, Va. - Today we celebrate men and women veterans all across the country, but that wasn't always the case. Women haven't always been allowed in the military, but today Sentara Nursing Center in Virginia Beach celebrated two special veterans who were some of the first females to join.
They were both part of the WAVES program added by the Navy in World War II. WAVES stands for Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service. They are known for paving the way for women in the military today.
Gloria Woolard served in the Navy for thirty years. From 1950 to 1970 she was a Navy Chief. Thirty years of service where she often found herself as the only female in the room.
Helen Via was a Navy Telegrapher which took her across the country, moving her from her home in New York to working in the Ferry Air Command in Coronado, California.
Now, they both ended up here in Sentara Nursing Center, today celebrating and reminiscing on their time in the Navy.
