(Photo by Brett Dunlap) Bryan Casey, grandson of Hershel “Woody” Williams, accepts an honorary doctorate of humane letters in his grandfather’s name from Raymona Grant, veterans advocate at the University of West Virginia in Parkersburg Monday during the school’s Veterans Day ceremony. Monday.

PARKERSBURG – The evolving role of women in the military and honoring one of West Virginia’s most honored veterans was the focus of the University of Virginia’s annual Veterans Day ceremony -Western at Parkersburg, Monday.

The ceremony included a wreath laying by the Blennerhassett Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and remarks from Melody Zimmerman, U.S. Navy veteran and DAR member, and Bryan Casey, grandson of Hershel. “Wooded” Williams, who spoke about his grandfather.

Zimmerman enlisted in July 1972 and served as part of the WAVES (originally known as Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service).

The WAVES were established on July 21, 1942 as part of the Naval Reserve during World War II to perform clerical work, hospital work, weather forecasting and other duties to free men for active duty in Wed. Approximately 100,000 women served in the WAVES during World War II as enlisted personnel and officers in the continental United States, as they were not permitted to perform combat duties.

Many were released after the war. In 1948, Congress passed laws allowing women to enlist and serve in the regular Navy, but could not serve in any unit with a combat mission. Although the WAVES name, as originally intended, ended at this time, the name endured until the late 1970s.

“Women are now called “sailors”, just like men. » Zimmerman said, adding that in 1994, Congress repealed the law that prevented women from participating in combat situations. “Today, women are fully integrated into every aspect of the United States Navy.”

Zimmerman said she has been at the forefront of integrating women into all aspects of the Navy. In the 1970s, many establishments were not built to accommodate women.

“During my time in the Navy, I met various people and learned a lot” she said, adding that she did basic training in Orlando, Fla., and did much of her other training in central Mississippi, in an area where she still saw vestiges of Southern segregation and where the KKK was still active.

She was the only woman living on base and lived on the second floor of a barracks where the men lived on the first floor. She worked in the intermediate maintenance department and other departments.

“It was a learning experience” she said. “Being part of the WAVES and the Navy has been an enriching experience for an 18-year-old.

“You learn and you grow. It has been my honor to serve and represent the United States Navy as a veteran. »

Bryan Casey, Hershel’s grandson “Wooded” Williams, accepted an honorary doctorate of humane letters from WVUP in his grandfather’s name.

Williams received the Medal of Honor for his service as a U.S. Marine during the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II, where he, armed with a flamethrower, destroyed a series of enemy locations on February 23, 1945. Williams died at age 98 in 2022. He worked for years to establish Gold Star family monuments throughout the county, including a number in this area. His foundation continues this work.

“Woody Williams embodied the highest ideals of courage, sacrifice and service to our nation. » said Raymona Grant, veterans advocate at WVUP.

Casey talked about his grandfather and how he would have talked about that day and all veterans, not himself.

“In his words, “the cause is bigger than me”” he said. “Having this honor one day is to thank those who have served.

“Veterans who don’t even realize it helped God create Woody. Veterans inspired Woody to serve. He always said that he wanted to become a Marine at 17, because “girls preferred dress blue to green.”

Veterans saved his grandfather’s life, especially those who died protecting him on Iwo Jima. The veterans kept him in service after the war as he worked as a veterans services representative for 33 years.

“Woody’s service is not the only service we are here to recognize. » » Casey said. “The veterans in this room have unwittingly served Woody. Many of you have helped continue to raise funds for Marine Corps League scholarships and Gold Star monuments.

“Such recognition means that Woody’s legacy can live on.” He would like to thank each of you individually. Service is the epitome of what a veteran stands for.

Grant spoke about how veterans have inspired her, as she has a number of family members who served in the military, the closest being her “Uncle Billy.” Grant explained how he was a minor and ran away from home three times and joined various services during World War II before being discovered and sent home. When he finally turned 18, he joined the Army and completed Ranger School.

She told how he took her military training and turned it into play time and taught her various skills from a young age, including teaching her how to swim, how to get out of a number of holds and how to resolve moral questions.

“He pushed me to reach limits that I didn’t know when I was a child and he made me who I am today,” she said. “The impact of veterans on our lives and our communities is an integral part of our development and success.

“Veterans provide us with opportunities to learn and grow. We are a diverse group from different backgrounds, brothers and sisters in arms.

“We stand together.”