On Thursday afternoon, June 12, DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) hosted a luncheon at the Mesquite Veterans Center in recognition of National Women’s Veterans Day.

The regent of the Virgin Valley Chapter of DAR, Dr. Leigh Roessner, said, “We were looking for a way to recognize our women veterans and found there was not really a women’s veterans group in town. Through friends, we tracked 20 female veterans and invited them to a luncheon. All were interested and 15 ladies came to the luncheon; the other five were out of town.”

The veterans center donated the use of the building and paid for the food, which was catered by La Fonda Mexican restaurant.

Officers from the Mesquite Veterans Center were introduced, including President Bill Ennis, Past President and Current Commander VFW Steve Reynolds and Dominic Oliveto, president of Vietnam Vets Association 993.

Veteran Susan Ball spoke about her mother, who was an army nurse in the ’40s.

Jean Watkins, president of the Mesquite Women’s History and Cultural Center, informed the attendees of all the books available at the Cultural Center on women in the military. She also invited them to join in the Veterans Day parade and noted the availability of plaques for cars.

Dianna Allred is a veterans service officer working at the Mesquite Veterans Center Monday through Friday to assist and support veterans with claim forms and benefits.

The featured speaker was 87-year-old Marine veteran Mary Lou Ashe. According to Ashe, she joined the Marines in 1956 to keep her mother from marrying her off. She was a lifeguard and a synchronized swimmer with a specialty of drownproofing.

She spoke of how she had to earn the respect of the other Marines, most of whom were men who did not encourage women to join their ranks. According to Ashe, as a young female Marine, she was pretty good at putting them in their place. Ashe was presented with a beautiful handmade quilt by Sharon Wakefield.

Each of the female veterans shared a bit about their service. A member of the Mesquite Honor Guard then invited the female veterans to join them.

Dr. Roessner thanked everyone for helping make the luncheon possible and especially the veterans for showing up.