Friends and veterans, thank you so much for gathering here on Women Veterans
Recognition Day to recognize the contributions of women veterans.  I know I
speak for all of us here when I say you are important figures in the history of our
nation – as well as important role models for our future.

 

When we stop to think about it, we all probably know a woman – a family friend
or a member of our family – who has served in the Armed Forces.  My own
mother-in-law was a nurse during World War II.  For her heroic service, she was
awarded the Bronze Star. 

 

Yet she was discharged at a time when there were many fewer women veterans
than there are today, and the system of benefits was ill-equipped to meet their
needs.

 

At this time, women make up 14 percent of our nation’s soldiers in uniform.  We
are eligible for any work in the armed services except for direct combat roles.  As
the occurrence of women in the military grows, so too does the number of women
among America’s veteran population.  According to the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs, the proportion of women veterans will rise from 6 percent this
year to over 10 percent by the year 2010.

 

That may not sound like much – but in reality it is an increase of hundreds of
thousands of women.

 

It was an astonishing fact to me that in 1980, when the U.S. Census first asked
women whether they had served in the Armed Forces, more than 1.2 million said
Yes.  At the time, that meant 4.6 percent of the veteran population.  More than half
of them had served during a time of war.

 

It is clear that we must change the way we view women veterans in our country –
from the halls of Congress to the streets of Poplar Bluff.  The mission of the VA
must also change to reflect this new reality.

 

Even though the numbers of women veterans are swelling now – women have
served proudly since the American Revolution – with many of the same duties and
under the same flag as men.

 

Women have taken on nearly every role available to men in our armed forces.
They are fighting under the same flag as men.  They are taking the same risks as
men, and then some, by serving on the field of battle.

 

The famous example of Molly Pitcher is a good one.  Though she initially became
popular for carrying water (and beer) to her husband during the Revolutionary
War, she achieved her notoriety for taking his place firing a cannon when he
collapsed during battle.

 

Early on, scouts, spies, and women disguising their gender formed the majority of
females in uniforms cut for a man’s body.  Over the years, women have overcome
the barrier to military service, and today, the uniforms are designed for them.

 

In 1993, a statue honoring women in the Armed Services was added to the
National Mall near the Vietnam Memorial.  It honors the 265,000 women who
served in that war.  In 1997, the Women in Service to America Memorial was
added to the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery.  These tributes reflect the
honor with which women served, and remind us of the long, proud heritage of
women in our military.

 

Today, the talent of women has made the pool of talent upon which our military
draws deeper.  They are serving proudly and being discharged honorably.  And
when they do leave their posts, they become veterans. 

 

They return to their families, and often start families of their own.  They go back
to jobs where they succeed in the business world.  They take the skills they learned
in the uniform of our country and turn them into valuable skills in our society.
Most of all – when they leave the military, they never lose their patriotism or their
sense of public duty.  They are fixtures in our communities and an inspiration to
young girls who also wish to grow up and serve.

 

And it is then that their obligation to serve our nation becomes our nation’s
obligation to serve them.

 

So how must we change the way we treat women veterans?

 

There is a growing priority placed on the Center for Women Veterans at the
Department of Veterans Affairs.  The staff at the Center reviews existing programs
to make sure there are sufficient resources to address the needs of women
veterans.  They are watchdogs for equal access to services and treatments.  And as
this population of women veterans grows, so will the need for the advocacy of this
Center.

 

At least partly because of the efforts of the Center, the VA is now conducting
research of diseases that affect women, including breast cancer and osteoporosis.
Upon their admission, female patients of the VA receive appropriate examinations,
which include pelvic and breast examinations.  Clinicians offer many services
specific to women’s needs: menopause management, gynecology, and
mammography.

 

In addition to treatments, an equal amount of emphasis is placed on preventative
care.  Over the long term, this attention to potential health problems for women
saves lives, saves money, and prepares the VA for the increase of women patients
it is bound to experience in the coming years.

 

New efforts at community outreach promise to educate women veterans about the
services available at the VA.  I am pleased that not only does the VA seem
committed to equality in its service, but it also intends to close the information gap
about the benefits they have earned through their valiant sacrifices on behalf of
our nation.

 

By celebrations such as the one we are making here today, we are also helping to
guarantee good services for the women who don the uniform of their country in
the future. 

 

If the machinery of government is working well for the women who have served,
then there will be an added benefit to our country:  We will grow the ranks of
women in the military, encourage women to enlist, and show the world that “Yes
We Can” is more than a motto.

 

For the past 24 years, first Bill and then I have convened a panel every fall to
review the applications of young Missourians who aspire to attend our nation’s
four military service academies.  Over that time, the number of applications from
women – and the number of acceptances – has grown considerably.

 

From all across our country, women are lending their expertise to the Reserves and
National Guard.  Recently some have been called to duty in the Middle East.  One
of them is my stepdaughter, Jessica.

 

She is continuing in her family’s tradition of proud military service.  And just like
any man who has been called, when Jessica learned of her orders, she called her
parents, told us the news, and assured us confidently that she knows how to take
care of herself and she will be fine.

 

I do not doubt that she will.  Just as I know she will be an invaluable addition to
our mission in Iraq, I know she will be a benefit to her entire unit.  It’s funny, but
sometimes even war could use a women’s touch.

 

So in closing, I want to say thank you to the women veterans here today.  Even
though you may not have always known it, you were breaking ground for the
women who will serve after you.  This nation owes you a great debt of gratitude.

One of the most impressive aspects of your service to me is that you have
continued to be involved in your communities.  Your pride in your service is a
tremendous source of patriotism in our communities.  And as you continue to
provide leadership, please know that I am here to help in any way I can.

 

Because you stood up and said, I will serve, too – our nation is stronger – our
freedoms run deeper – our liberty is richer.  God bless you for everything you have
done for our nation, and God bless America.