Women’s Memorial

The placement of a women’s memorial statue at the Vietnam War Memorial, as proposed by the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Project, is one of the most worthy and meaningful additions to our national memorial that this country could make in honoring and recognizing the sacrifices our women have made, not just behind the lines of battle, as is popularly believed, but on the lines, with bullets, grenades and shrapnel flying around (“Vietnam Memorial Battle Heats Up Again--Over Role of Women” by Betty Cuniberti, Nov. 11).

This memorial would commemorate Vietnam by virtue of its placement at the Vietnam War Memorial--it would also serve to commemorate our women that made these same sacrifices during the Korean conflict--and it would make a similarly strong statement about the women that were there during World War II; our women have been there, in the thick of the heat, every time we needed them. They’ll be there again, any time we may need them. We didn’t have to ask them to come along before--nor will we have to in the future. Because that’s where they have always wanted to be.

That this memorial is intended to recognize all women in uniform is important; that the statue is meant to personify the nurses makes it all the more fitting. I sincerely believe that all of our returning wounded veterans would welcome the opportunity to add their support to this effort; that all veterans would want to join; in fact, gentlemen, we should all stand and join the chorus.

HARRY H. JEFFERIES

Westlake Village