Sea Isle City officials and veterans celebrate Women Veterans Recognition Day at Veterans Park. (Photo courtesy of Sea Isle City)
Sea Isle City’s first ever Women Veterans Recognition Day ceremony was hosted by Mayor Leonard Desiderio on June 12 at Veterans Park.
The community gathered to recognize, honor and remember the signing of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act in 1948 by President Harry Truman, allowing women the right to serve as permanent members in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The ceremony featured several guest speakers, including two U.S. Army women veterans from Cape May County, Yevette Roshone Bratten and Denise Wieand.
South Jersey Quilts of Valor Chapter 11255 members Debbie Conrad and Dolores Wilson presented handmade patriotic quilts to Roshone Bratten and fellow Army veteran, Rita Lyman-Sicilia.
Quilts of Valor is a foundation that offers service members and veterans a quilt for healing and comfort and also to thank them for making the sacrifice to serve the nation.
During the ceremony, Cape May County Clerk Rita Rothberg spoke of how women from Cape May County have been defending the nation’s independence for generations.
Also, a ceremonial wreath was placed at the Memorial Fountain, patriotic hymns were sung, and prayers were offered for the country’s female veterans.
Although, there are nearly 2 million women who are U.S. veterans, Women Veterans Recognition Day is not yet commemorated nationally. However, New Jersey is among the few states that do recognize the day – and Sea Isle City plans to honor women veterans every June 12.
Mayor Leonard Desiderio is joined by U.S. Army veterans Yevette Roshone Bratten, left, and Rita Lyman-Sicilia. Also shown, in back row, are South Jersey Quilts of Valor members Debbie Conrad and Dolores Wilson. (Photo courtesy of Sea Isle City)
