Mrs. Matthews happens to be my aunt and is the oldest living woman on my mother’s side of the family to have served in America’s armed forces.
We don’t focus enough on women who served or are serving in the military unless the story spins on gender-related issues, and although neither Mr. Crockett nor Mrs. Matthews cast aspersions on “gender neutrality” and other controversial issues regarding the military, both said they would volunteer and man-up, so to speak, all over again - and that’s the point we should drive home to young people.
So on this Memorial Day, thank these two veterans, pay homage to all of their peers, and never forget the 36,574 Americans who gave their lives in the Korean War.
• Deborah Simmons can be reached at dsimmons@washingtontimes.com
© Copyright 2013 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.
Award-winning opinion writer Deborah Simmons is a senior correspondent who reports on City Hall and writes about education, culture, sports and family-related topics. Mrs. Simmons has worked at several newspapers, and since joining The Washington Times in 1985, has served as editorial-page editor and features editor and on the metro desk. She has taught copy editing at the University of ...
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