Sunday, May 24, 2009

Foxx Honors Women Veterans

The following is from a press release from NC Congresswoman Virginia Foxx.

Foxx honors women veterans at Arlington Cemetery
Participates in Annual Women in the Military Wreath Laying Ceremony

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Virginia Foxx today honored the women of America’s military at the 12th Annual Women in the Military Wreath Laying Ceremony which took place at the Arlington Cemetery Women’s Memorial. The wreath laying ceremony in advance of the Memorial Day holiday honored servicewomen who have died while serving the U.S.
“Women have served our nation from its birth to the present and have willingly laid down their lives for the cause of liberty,” Foxx said. “Today we give honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.”

In addition to memorializing those women who died in the line of duty, the ceremony also highlighted the service of women currently enlisted in the armed forces. Senior enlisted women from each service branch, including the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, represented their fellow women service members.

During the Arlington Cemetery wreath laying Foxx acknowledged the sacrifices of enlisted women in each branch of the armed forces. Foxx specifically honored Army Master Sergeant Flora McKnight, Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Min Sook Ellis, Navy Senior Chief Yeoman Dee Allen, Air Force Master Sergeant Dianna Kent and Coast Guard Master Chief Storekeeper Beth Dunn, each of whom were present at the ceremony.

“Enlisted women play a critical role in the professionalism and readiness of our military,” Foxx said. “The presence of the women here today testifies to the achievements of women in our armed forces.”