Veterans Day in Fortuna was marked by a gathering at the Fortuna Veterans Building on November 11, where military personnel from all branches were honored for their service. Attendees included veterans from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, who stood to receive the recognition they deserve. The event featured renditions of the theme songs of each branch, performed by Roger Sanderson and his band, creating a spirited atmosphere.
Keynote speaker Enoch Ibara, service officer for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2207, delivered a poignant address that emphasized the importance of honoring those who have served. Ibara stated, “It is a privilege to be able to honor those who have given so much for the freedoms that we hold dear in this great nation, made possible by the sacrifices of those who have worn the uniform of this country’s armed forces.”
Highlighting Women Veterans
Under the theme “Honoring the Quiet Veterans,” Ibara devoted much of his speech to the contributions of women in the military. He recounted the history of female service members, beginning with Deborah Sampson, who disguised herself as a man to fight in the Revolutionary War in 1782. Sampson, known as Robert Shurtleff, served in the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment, scouting enemy positions and participating in raids against British forces.
Ibara noted that during the Civil War, more than 400 women also assumed male identities to fight, serving in both Union and Confederate ranks. He highlighted the case of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, who volunteered as a surgeon but was initially denied a position due to her gender. Eventually, she became a civilian contract surgeon for the U.S. Army and is recognized as the first female U.S. Army surgeon.
The contributions of women continued throughout history, with Loretta Perfectus Walsh becoming the first woman to serve in a non-nursing role in the U.S. Navy in 1917, and Opha Mae Johnson, who served as the first female Marine for nearly six months.
Ibara pointed out that over 35,000 women served during World War II, and thousands were deployed during the Korean War. In the Vietnam War, approximately 7,400 American women served, primarily as nurses, while more than 300,000 women have been involved in recent conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and Africa.
Acknowledging Sacrifices
During his address, Ibara emphasized that women have often participated in dangerous missions without receiving the recognition they deserve. “Throughout the history of the U.S. military, women have taken part in dangerous clandestine missions… including serving side-by-side with the most elite of our nation’s military units,” he said. “It would be negligent of me not to acknowledge the many female warriors who along with their brothers in arms have made the ultimate sacrifice.”
In concluding his speech, Ibara urged the audience to remember the contributions of women veterans. “Let us not forget these women. They didn’t just serve; they did it quietly and without fanfare. We may never fully appreciate or understand their sacrifices.” The event served not only as a celebration of military service but also as a reminder of the often-overlooked roles women have played in the defense of their country.
