Letter: Liz Blackwelder also served in military, enjoyed riding

Having written so much about her and being a personal close friend, I would like to add to your elaborate article on the passing of Liz Blackwelder in your Jan. 23 edition.

In World War II, she became one of the first officers in the newly established U.S. Navy WAVES branch for women where she served for three years and two months. Enlisting in 1942, she carried out her officer duties at three different Navy medical centers stateside.

Liz had graduated from Smith College in Massachusetts as a member of the WAVES second class there.

In 1995, Liz went to Washington, D.C. as an honored guest at the groundbreaking of the Women’s Memorial for Women in Military Service at Arlington National Cemetery.

An expert equestrian who rode horses all her life, she was so proud to have ridden in the 1976 American Bicentennial Equestrian Observance, a cross-country adventure for her. The event drew more than 10,000 riders from all parts of the country along with five wagon trains. Liz, who loved her La Cañada Flintridge residency, carried the California state flag on her entire ride from the Pomona fairgrounds to Valley Forge, Pa.

Don Mazen
Glendale