Phantom Blooper
06-22-04, 05:52 AM
Once a Marinette, but always a Marine
June 22,2004
CYNDI BROWN
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The dates and places are important. But it's the personal stories that bring history to life.
So when Linda Cates Lacey sat down to create a book about women Marines, the retired major went to the source itself.
Lacey compiled "We Are Marines!" to tell the story of the female trailblazers in the Corps, from Marinette to Marine. Sprinkled throughout are the dates, the locations and important firsts. But the bulk of the book's 274 pages are memories from the women who answered the country's call.
"There's been a lot of books written about achievements of male Marines, and that's right. That's the way it should be. But we have to remember, there are many talented women too," said Lacey, 60. "These ladies really have neat stories to tell us."
Lacey, a Hubert resident, had considered writing "something for women Marines" for about a year before cammie-clad inspiration struck.
"It was gong to be a book, not about one person but about every woman Marine."
Lacey attended the Cherry Point Salute to Women in November and was enthralled by the stories about recent service in Iraq and Kuwait and Afghanistan.
"Their stories were so interesting," said Lacey of the three active duty Marines who spoke that day. She scrounged up pen and paper and took down in shorthand what the women related. "That's what started all this."
Lacey sent out a call for other stories, moments in time that may not be recorded in any other way, any other place.
And they started trickling in.
"I was in the first class of WRs Â… "
"During WWII, I was one of eight Women Marines who served as Communication Watch Officers at the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point Â… "
"My crew chief leans over and explains to the General that he has the privilege of flying with an all-female crew Â… "
Five months later, she had her book, which is being sold as a fund raiser for the Women Marines Association 2006 national convention; all proceeds from the $25 donation go to the organization. Copies are available at the Marine Corps Association store in the Exchange Annex aboard Camp Lejeune.
The Women Marine Association's first purpose, according to Lacey, is to promote the history and tradition of women Marines.
"We thought," she said, "the book was a good way to do it."
Since there was no central resource for the history of women in the service, Lacey sought assistance from Headquarters Marine Corps and Marine Corps University archives. She traveled to Parris Island, S.C., relied on online sources and conducted interviews.
"We Are Marines!" is split into eight chapters, each devoted to a decade of service. A list of historical references - popular movies, military actions, styles of the day - give context to the stories that follow.
"I can't say that anyone's a favorite because all of them are precious," said Lacey of the memories culled from Marines, friends and family members - including three from World War I.
"World War II really picks up Â… I have a lot of stories from them," said Lacey.
She also has a lot of stories - 42 so far - not in the book. They will be a part of next and subsequent volumes in a series benefiting WMA. And she's looking for more.
"Each one has a story to tell us. We're not looking for autobiographies. We're just looking for personal stories," said Lacey of the memories that range from three lines to more than three pages.
"It's little stories about little people who made up our Marine Corps," said Mary Sabourin, chairperson for the WMA convention and director of WMA Area 3. "A lot of women have been trailblazers. There's a lot of women out there.
"I think the women in all eras have got something to tell us."
Sabourin, 81, talks about being mistaken for a Girl Scout in her green seersucker uniform as a young enlistee. Later, a fellow traveler under the mistaken impression that Sabourin, in her dress blues, was in a different line of work, asked what time the train left for New York.
Sabourin helped Lacey get the book together and get it published - a task the women undertook themselves to allow as much money as possible to go to the WMA.
"We felt if we wanted something for the fund drive, it would be best to publish it ourselves Â… So we found out all the problems of publishing," said Sabourin, laughing.
Lacey also found problems with a computer that couldn't handle all she was tasking it with. But, like any other Marines, they adapted and overcame.
"Maybe it's because I was in a long while, but I know what women can do," said Sabourin. "(The Corps) has changed a lot and I'm sure that's what I served 30 years for, for women to get where they are today."
For a copy of the book or to submit a story for the next volume, e-mail robinl@gibralter.net or snail mail PO Box 2196, Swansboro, NC 28584
:marine:
June 22,2004
CYNDI BROWN
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The dates and places are important. But it's the personal stories that bring history to life.
So when Linda Cates Lacey sat down to create a book about women Marines, the retired major went to the source itself.
Lacey compiled "We Are Marines!" to tell the story of the female trailblazers in the Corps, from Marinette to Marine. Sprinkled throughout are the dates, the locations and important firsts. But the bulk of the book's 274 pages are memories from the women who answered the country's call.
"There's been a lot of books written about achievements of male Marines, and that's right. That's the way it should be. But we have to remember, there are many talented women too," said Lacey, 60. "These ladies really have neat stories to tell us."
Lacey, a Hubert resident, had considered writing "something for women Marines" for about a year before cammie-clad inspiration struck.
"It was gong to be a book, not about one person but about every woman Marine."
Lacey attended the Cherry Point Salute to Women in November and was enthralled by the stories about recent service in Iraq and Kuwait and Afghanistan.
"Their stories were so interesting," said Lacey of the three active duty Marines who spoke that day. She scrounged up pen and paper and took down in shorthand what the women related. "That's what started all this."
Lacey sent out a call for other stories, moments in time that may not be recorded in any other way, any other place.
And they started trickling in.
"I was in the first class of WRs Â… "
"During WWII, I was one of eight Women Marines who served as Communication Watch Officers at the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point Â… "
"My crew chief leans over and explains to the General that he has the privilege of flying with an all-female crew Â… "
Five months later, she had her book, which is being sold as a fund raiser for the Women Marines Association 2006 national convention; all proceeds from the $25 donation go to the organization. Copies are available at the Marine Corps Association store in the Exchange Annex aboard Camp Lejeune.
The Women Marine Association's first purpose, according to Lacey, is to promote the history and tradition of women Marines.
"We thought," she said, "the book was a good way to do it."
Since there was no central resource for the history of women in the service, Lacey sought assistance from Headquarters Marine Corps and Marine Corps University archives. She traveled to Parris Island, S.C., relied on online sources and conducted interviews.
"We Are Marines!" is split into eight chapters, each devoted to a decade of service. A list of historical references - popular movies, military actions, styles of the day - give context to the stories that follow.
"I can't say that anyone's a favorite because all of them are precious," said Lacey of the memories culled from Marines, friends and family members - including three from World War I.
"World War II really picks up Â… I have a lot of stories from them," said Lacey.
She also has a lot of stories - 42 so far - not in the book. They will be a part of next and subsequent volumes in a series benefiting WMA. And she's looking for more.
"Each one has a story to tell us. We're not looking for autobiographies. We're just looking for personal stories," said Lacey of the memories that range from three lines to more than three pages.
"It's little stories about little people who made up our Marine Corps," said Mary Sabourin, chairperson for the WMA convention and director of WMA Area 3. "A lot of women have been trailblazers. There's a lot of women out there.
"I think the women in all eras have got something to tell us."
Sabourin, 81, talks about being mistaken for a Girl Scout in her green seersucker uniform as a young enlistee. Later, a fellow traveler under the mistaken impression that Sabourin, in her dress blues, was in a different line of work, asked what time the train left for New York.
Sabourin helped Lacey get the book together and get it published - a task the women undertook themselves to allow as much money as possible to go to the WMA.
"We felt if we wanted something for the fund drive, it would be best to publish it ourselves Â… So we found out all the problems of publishing," said Sabourin, laughing.
Lacey also found problems with a computer that couldn't handle all she was tasking it with. But, like any other Marines, they adapted and overcame.
"Maybe it's because I was in a long while, but I know what women can do," said Sabourin. "(The Corps) has changed a lot and I'm sure that's what I served 30 years for, for women to get where they are today."
For a copy of the book or to submit a story for the next volume, e-mail robinl@gibralter.net or snail mail PO Box 2196, Swansboro, NC 28584
:marine: