Hernando County Women Veterans Organization Focuses on Patriotism, Camaraderie and Service

For those of you who enjoy “fun facts,” there are some revealing statistics regarding women veterans. Did you know that more than 500,000 women served in the military during the Vietnam era, Korean War and World War II? Many of those women were assigned to combat zones, mostly as nurses, medics or in clerical positions. And, were you aware that in the Gulf War, from just 1990-1991, more than 40,000 women deployed to combat zones?

Hernando County Women Veterans (HCWV) is an organization made up of female veterans that strives to increase the public’s awareness of this sometimes overlooked population. The group provides a safe space for women veterans to talk openly with others who have similar experiences, “provides resources that improve our member’s health and wellness and gives back to the community with our time, talent and treasure.”

The goals of the HCWV are three-fold: Patriotism, based on love of country; Camaraderie – having fun and finding the connection that is lost after leaving the military; and Service – working to improve the lives of its members and others in the community.

The HCWV works to increase the visibility of women veterans by partnering with other veterans’ organizations and participating in patriotic events, such as Wreaths Across America. They will also organize the Women Veterans Recognition Celebrations on June 12. This commemorates the signing of the 1948 Armed Forces Integration Act, which brought the separate women’s services, such as the WACS and WAVES, into the once all-male branches of the military.

In striving to enrich the lives of all veterans, as well as members of the community, HCWV will be participating in Stand Down for the Homeless in October. The organization will also take part in the Vet Fest in November.

Nancy Wray serves as Adjutant of the organization. In that capacity, she handles the paperwork and keeps notes on events, etc. Nancy was in the Navy in 1986 for a short time and then transferred to the Army. She served from 1989 to 1997.

Jean Ware is the president of HCWV. Jean served as an Electricians Mate in the Navy from 1986-1990. She also worked in the motor pool. Along with her role in HCWV, Jean also serves as Vice Commander of American Legion post 418.

Sheila Roberts serves as Vice-President of the organization. Tina Budzisz is HCWV’s treasurer. Among the women attending their meeting on March 7 were Jill Schluter, a retired Army Medivac Physician’s Assistant who served in the Desert Storm conflict and Peggy Buckwalter, a Navy hospital corpsman during the Korean War.

As a fairly new organization, the members of the Hernando County Women Veterans exemplify the motto: Valor Has No Gender.

Membership is open to all U.S. military women veterans living mainly in Hernando County. Spouses, family, and friends are welcome to join. The group meets on the third Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at VFW 10209, located at 14736 Edward R. Noll Drive in Spring Hill. For more information, call 352-741-4437 or contact them on Facebook: Hernando County Women Veterans.