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WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS VETERANS' ASSOCIATION Chesapeake Beacon Chapter 114 (A Tax Exempt/Non-Profit Organization)
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HISTORY OF THE CHESAPEAKE BEACON, CHAPTER 114 On 6 July 2002, eleven members of the Women's Army Corps Veterans' Association decided that they needed to start a new Chapter of the Association in the State of Maryland. This began a new chapter in the book of the WACVA. These eleven women, plus the joining of two new members, met on 13 July 2002, a week later, and formed a new Chapter called the Chesapeake Beacon. The meeting was held at the home of one of the members, Wanda Story and the paperwork was filled out, officers were elected and the name of the chapter and its newsletter was decided upon. The name of these charter members are: Wanda Story, President Cathy Hampton, 1st/2nd VP Elizabeth Toms, Treasurer/Secretary Heather Secora, Chaplain Julia Oliver, Sgt-at-Arms Martha Cassity Margaret Cohn Connie Confer Agatha Davis Cynthia Dorris Pamela Irle Mary El. Jones Margaret LaPlume
The name of the Newsletter is "The Lighthouse".
These women will be remembered in our history forever. They had the determination to be all they could be; to lend a helping hand to their fellow veterans in any way they possibly could; to help their community when in need; and to agree to disagree at their meetings, but to always compromise and leave the meetings as friends and sisters. HISTORY OF THE WACVA The Women's Army Corps (WAC) Mothers' Association was founded during World War II by some of the mothers of women in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) which later became the Women's Army Corps. The WAC Mothers' purpose was to help both men and women by serving in hospitals and USOs, selling bonds, mending clothes, sending comfort packages to the WACs and doing anything they could to make life more comfortable for the men and women serving their country. Active members of the Women's Army Corps and Women's Army Corps Veterans in the Chicago area met under the sponsorship of the WAC Mothers' Association in January 1946 to discuss the possibilities of organizing a Women's Army Corps Veterans' Association. Definite steps toward organization were taken in the months following and on 14 May 1946, the by-laws of the Chicago Women's Army Corps Veterans' Association were drawn up and adopted. The organization was chartered as a general non-profit corporation in the State of Illinois on 26 July 1946. (On 11 May 1951, the Association was incorporated in the District of Columbia.) Like efforts toward organization were made in other cities and on 23 and 24 August 1947, the first national meeting of the Women's Army Corps Veterans' Association (WACVA) chapters was held in Chicago for the purpose of establishing a national organization. Officers of the Chicago Chapter served as national officers pro-tem. The national constitution and by-laws were drafted and adopted and the first national election of officers was held with chapters from Chicago Number 1, Pittsburg Number 2, Columbus Number 3, Milwaukee Number 4, and Cleveland Number 5. Ours is a non-profit, non-partisan organization. No person who is eligible for membership is barred because of race, creed, color, or political belief unless such belief is contrary to the principles of the Constitution and the government of the United States of America. At Present we have approximately 2682 active members, but we represent thousands of women who loyally served their country in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Persian Gulf and in Bosnia. We count among our members the former directors of the Women's Army Corps, Commanders of the WAC Center and School, Officers, Warrant Officers, NCOs and enlisted women who were the heart of the women's tradition in; the United States Army. The organization's official publication, THE CHANNEL, keeps the members aware of our national business, projects and pertinent veterans information. Most chapters have a chapter newsletter to keep their members informed of their local activities. The National Honor Guard was established in 1951. The Honor Guard participates in our convention activities by Posting the Colors, escorting dignitaries, assisting the National Sergeant-at-Arms and Convention Chairpersons. They also assist the National Chaplain with the Memorial Service. Members of the Honor Guard participate in the memorial services at Arlington Cemetery on Veterans' Day and Memorial Day. Honor Guard carries the Colors and Women's Army Corps Veterans' Association flag, and escorts our President when the wreath is placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Members also take part in Veterans function, parades and memorial services in their communities. In 1984, Congress passed the bills that granted the Association a Federal Charter. President Ronald Reagan signed the Federal Charter into law on 30 October 1984. President Reagan proclaimed the first National Women Veterans' Recognition Week beginning 11 November 1984.
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