Greetings from the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, Chapter CA-3. Our monthly meeting in January was hosted by CA-3 member Carolina Rudisel, and her daughter, active duty Marine Dominique.
Also at this meeting, Barbara Naas brought a quilt donated by a Woman Marine Veteran. Virginia (Hazzard) Bachman donated a handmade quilt to CA-3 to be raffled off. All proceeds will go to our scholarship fund. Virginia served in the Marine Corps from June 1943 – June 1945. She served at Cherry Point, North Carolina, as a member of the Motor Pool, in charge of “Procurement/Requisition”. We are grateful to her for thinking of us with the donation of this beautiful quilt.
In February, at the meeting hosted by CA-3 Vice President/Treasurer Kathy Wright, we celebrated the 77th Anniversary of the establishment of the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve. We held a traditional Marine Corps Birthday Celebration, with the oldest Marine present, Zita Cussary, passing the first piece of birthday cake to the youngest Marine Present – Lily Brockmeier.
Unfortunately, with current events, our March meeting was cancelled. Instead, we keep in touch via texts and email. The current world crisis has affected us all. Some of our members and family members still must report to work, being considered essential services, either in health care, or other areas deemed to be essential. Some are working from home. Others are currently not working. At least one Loyal Escort (Elaine Vallecillo-Miller) has turned her talents to making washable masks! One young Loyal Escort, Joseph Rivera, is a Senior in High School, and is missing out on all Senior activities- to include prom and graduation ceremonies!
During this period, CA-3 President Susan Johnston participated in several events as part of the combined American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard. We participated in 3 funeral services, rendering military honors, and one Celebration of Life ceremony. At this time, following national guidelines, military honors are being postponed.
On February 18th, CA-3 member Kathy Wright and Loyal Escort Angie Fredekind attended Nell Marie Forsey’s service at the new California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery in Seaside. Kathy read the prayer for a Woman Marine, which the family greatly appreciated.
From the San Francisco Bay Area, we wish everyone good health. Stay safe and stay strong. Semper Fi. Susan Johnston