Two Veterans’ Lessons

Two Veterans’ Lessons

About 150,000 women served in the Women’s Army Corp (WAC) during World War II. My Aunt Babe (real name of Claudia) was a proud officer in those ranks. In 1943, it was still uncommon for women to join the armed forces. in fact, many people at the time believed “true ladies don’t join the military.” That line of thinking never deterred Aunt Babe.

Claudia M. Purnell

Claudia M. Purnell

In response to a thank-you note I sent her as a youth, she mailed me a letter – all the way from her home in San Francisco! To a rural Oklahoma kid, that was way cool. So began a long relationship with a world-travelled WAC from whom I learned a lot.

That first letter turned into hundreds. She always typed hers sans errors, the Army way. She mostly wrote weekly, typing pages and pages. Her stories were filled with routine musings. Sometimes, she’d mention her WAC tours in Africa, Europe and Asia. Occasionally, she’d feature family dirt or highlight a family member I knew little about. These regular missives continued until her passing. They instilled in me the value of ongoing communications.

She helped teach me manners. Couth, attire and courtesy were on her front burner during every outing.

She helped me understand trust. She turned me loose in many San Francisco neighborhoods. I never veered from our agreed path, though temptations were bountiful.

She taught the value of friendship. She, her military comrades and friends were fiercely loyal to each other.

She believed in her fellow service members, past and current. She hoped that her generation’s passion for professionalism would carry on.

I was privy to experience how her hope has been realized. On a recent flight, I sat next to Private Gonzales. He’d been in Afghanistan for a long time. The last few weeks had been especially rough. All he could talk about was seeing his family. Though dead tired, he could barely contain his excitement.

Gonzales practically ran up the jetway as we deplaned. Waiting in the departure lounge was an elderly gentleman in a wheelchair. As we passed, he saluted the private. Instinctively, Gonzales stopped. He returned the salute. He then knelt to shake the senior’s hand and visit. It was much later when he made it to the lobby and his cheering family.

Aunt Babe would have done the same thing. She and countless other veterans before her and since, set the examples upon which Private Gonzales acted. With his actions, Gonzales demonstrated that respect and professionalism are alive and well among our service members.

If you’re a veteran, thank you. If you’re not, thank as many as you can today.

To learn more about women serving in the armed forces, please visit the Women in Military Service for America Memorial.

Lead image courtesy of Jackson Library, University of North Carolina at Greensburg

20 Comments

  1. PARpat
    November 11, 2014

    Great story Rick.

    Reply
    • Rick Purnell
      November 11, 2014

      Appreciate the feedback, Pat. Hope you’re doing great.

      Reply
  2. Sara Prem
    November 11, 2014

    Wonderful piece, Rick!

    Reply
    • Rick Purnell
      November 11, 2014

      Thank you, Sara. Appreciate it.

      Reply
  3. Ed Leydecker
    November 11, 2014

    Hey Rick,

    Great article! Your Aunt reminds me of my Grandmother who was a shipyard welder during the war down in New Orleans. It’s interesting how these women had such an impact on our lives. You did your Aunt right by honoring her on this special day. I wish I would have met her. Thanks for sharing her story! Hope all is well……Ed

    Reply
    • Rick Purnell
      November 11, 2014

      Thank you, Ed. Would like to have met her. Best wishes for ag reat day.

      Reply
  4. Kim McConnell
    November 11, 2014

    EXCELLENT. Great story, great message and very well written. Thanks for sharing
    Kim

    Reply
    • Rick Purnell
      November 11, 2014

      Thank you, Kim. Hope you’re doing well.

      Reply
  5. Mona Howell
    November 11, 2014

    That was terrific, Rick. Great story. Great reminder, too. And I can see why your aunt Claudia was called Babe, too!

    My mother worked in the code room of the State Department. Women were so instrumental and valuable to the war effort. Bravo!

    Reply
    • Rick Purnell
      November 11, 2014

      Thanks, Mona. Neat about your mother. I remember sitting with Aunt Babe and some of her WAC friends as they told stories. There were some good ones.

      Reply
  6. Hal Brandom
    November 11, 2014

    Rick,

    What a great story…and, I do remember YOUR many stories of Aunt Babe. Priceless.

    Hal

    Reply
    • Rick Purnell
      November 11, 2014

      Thanks, Hal. Hope life is good.

      Reply
  7. Ron
    November 11, 2014

    Awesome story, Rick. What a blessing Babe was in your life and Dawn and I are blessed by your wonderful account. It speaks volumes of how we might impact younger generations. What a treasure she was in your life and her letters obviously have taken on a life of their own in the person of Rick Purnell. Great lessons learned! Thank you for sharing a glimpse of yourself with us.
    Ron

    Reply
    • Rick Purnell
      November 11, 2014

      Thanks for your kind words, Ron. Best regards to you and Dawn. Hope to see you soon.

      Reply
  8. Chuck Chapman
    November 11, 2014

    Rick,

    Thanks for that little bit of sunshine. Great story.

    Chuck Chapman
    Chapman Recording
    Kansas City, Mo.

    Reply
    • Rick Purnell
      November 11, 2014

      Thank you for reading, Chuck. Stay warm.

      Reply
  9. Adriane L. Charlton
    November 19, 2014

    Wish I had met her.

    Reply
    • Rick Purnell
      November 19, 2014

      You would’ve enjoyed her. She was as bashful as you. 😉

      Reply
  10. Pam Witzig
    November 19, 2014

    Lovely.

    Reply
    • Rick Purnell
      November 19, 2014

      Thank you, Pam.

      Reply

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