Women veterans honored in Fairbanks

FAIRBANKS - Recognizing the many contributions women have made in the U.S. military over the years, Gov. Tony Knowles honored women veterans in a ceremony at Fort Wainwright near Fairbanks on Thursday.

The event was organized by the local chapter of the Women Veterans of America.

"This is a great day for women and for veterans," Knowles said. "Alaska truly is a pioneering state with many famous, independent, hard-working, strong women leaders in our glorious history. As women leave the military and return to civilian life in their home towns, it is vitally important to publicly recognize their service and dedication to the nation."

At the urging of his Alaska Veterans Advisory Council, Knowles introduced legislation to establish three permanent days of recognition for Alaska's veterans, including Nov. 9 as Women Veterans' Day.

Alaska is the first of the 50 states to have an official day of recognition in statute to honor women veterans.

Under the new law, April 9 of each year was designated as POW Day to honor all living former prisoners of war, and Sept. 15 was established as POW/MIA Day to honor all POWs and those still missing in action.

Today there are almost 2 million women veterans, about 8 percent of the total veteran population. By the year 2010, women will comprise well over 10 percent of the veteran population.

As most federal veterans' policies and practices were developed at a time when women in the service were a rarity, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is constantly making revisions to incorporate women veterans' perspectives into future veterans' programs and plans.

In his remarks, Knowles recognized women veterans in the audience, including Rhonda Dyer, an Air Force vet and commander of the statewide and local chapters of the Women Veterans of America, the event's organizer.