"Beneath the Falling Stars"

My name is Susan Lehrer. I am a 21 year veteran of the US Navy. and veteran of Afghanistan. I am a member of AmVets Post 18 in Winchester, Virginia.  My colleague, fellow Post member, and Army and Gulf War veteran, Constance Boudreau, has been working for several years to research, plan and execute a ceremony to recognize and honor the service of over 400 Female Civil War Combat Soldiers.  The go-ahead was given, and now we are planning for two events! The first will be honoring the 150th Anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. There has not been a ceremony here since the tomb was created in 1866. This tomb contains the remains of both Union and Confederate Soldiers. In addition to this ceremony, there will also be the First Commemorative Military Honors Ceremony to honor by name 20 of more than 400 Female Civil War Combat Soldiers. These women are not included among the ranks of nurses and spies but were disguised as men, serving on the front lines, and dying there as well.  There are those that were KIA or are MIA. Their stories need to be told, need to be remembered, and their service needs to be honored.

Our need is URGENT! The ceremony is taking place on Sunday, September 18th, at 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 2, Tanner Amphitheater. You are all invited to attend! The money that we raise will be used to cover the cost of wreaths, programs, invitations, flights for speakers, decor, etc. Any remaining funds will be the foundation for a fund to build a Memorial Gateway to the tomb honoring these women, as well as support future ceremonies memorializing additional female soldiers by name. The gateway has been designed, and costs to build it are between $17,000 and $20,000. We have teamed up with our AmVets Post as our sponsoring non-profit, and they will manage this fund for us.

As you have seen in the news, the roles of women in the military are officially being changed and recognized. However, we have been there all along. It is time to publically acknowledge the service of this brave women! 

We thank you for your support, and hope to see you at Arlington on the 18th!