Veterans Day Celebrating women in the military

By Ethan Nahté

When it comes to fighting for what would become the United States of America, women took an active part dating back to at least the Revolutionary War.

One could mention flag maker Betsy Ross or printer, and signer of the Declaration of Independence, Mary Katharine Goddard; women who fought in battle such as Deborah Sampson who dug a bullet out of her own thigh to keep from being discovered as a woman posing as a man, or the women who possibly inspired the legend of Molly Pitcher — Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley and Margaret Cochran Corbin; spies Anna Smith Strong or Lydia Barrington Darragh, or several others, including those who were camp followers that cooked, brought water to the frontlines of battle or nursed the wounded. Even Gen. George Washington’s wife Martha made socks for the soldiers and raised money for supplies while running the Mount Vernon plantation while George was away.

There was Civil War assistant surgeon Mary Edwards, who attempted to enlist as a surgeon with the U.S. Army but was denied because of her gender. She had a medical degree from Syracuse Medical College. She became a contract assistant sureon. She was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1865, during her lifetime, because she was a civilian at the time of her valor… only to have it rescinded in 1917. She refused to reurn the medal and wore it until her death in 1919 at the age of 86. She was restored the medal posthumously in 1977. Of the 3,500 recipients, she is the only woman recipient.

Throughout each war on American soil, women tended to be a part of the action but rarely were officially recognized. Then on June 12, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed into law the “Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948,” granting women the right to serve as regular, permanent members of the U.S. armed services.

That was 75 years ago. Below, you will see a few of the women from Polk County, Arkansas, who are proud to have served in the U.S. military:

- Faye Baker

- Cathy Bohn

- Linda Johnson

- Harriet Lewis

- Kelly Loyd

- Mary Meier

- Donna Rice

- Roseanne Rob

- Udene Westphal

- Sara Wiggins

Linda Johnson, commander of the VFW Post 4451 and Department of Arkansas judge advocate, said, “It’s nice to be finally recognized. A lot of women didn’t get recognized for it until 1948. Henrietta Lewis is 100 years old and served in World War II. Faye Baker is a Korean War vet who is in her 80s or 90s.”

Of course, there are several other women veterans and active service from Polk County. Veterans Day may have been Saturday, but if you know or see a woman with a military background, thank them for their service.

“Things are improving every day for women in the military,” Johnson said.

GriefShare at First Presbyterian Church Mena meet every Wednesday at 1 p.m. for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

Humane Society of the Ouachitas will meet at La Villa Mexican Restaurant in Mena at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 16. All pet lovers are welcome. Note, there will be no December meeting.

GriefShare at The Crossing in Mena meets every Thursday from 6-8 p.m. for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

The Polk County Housing Authority has Rental Vouchers available. They are also in need of Applicants and Landlords. Contact them at 509 S. Morrow, Mena, (479) 394-1565 or polkarhousing.com.

Christ’s Church of Cove, 5234 Hwy. 71 S, Cove gathers every Tuesday, 8:30-9:30 a.m., for free coffee and conversation.

The Back Country Extension Homemakers Club meets the second Friday of each month at 1 p.m. at the UA Extension’s Education Building, 211 DeQueen St., Mena. We are a service organization affiliated with UA’s Division of Agriculture with a mission to have fun and learn new things while enriching our community and creating a more contented family life. We believe the greatest force that molds character comes from the home.

Come join new friends and old as we together grow. For more info, contact Ginger at Gingerkm@protonmail.com.

Around Town

Narcotics Anonymous meet at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday, noon - 1 p.m. on Wednesday, 7 p.m. on Thursday, 7 p.m. on Friday, and 6 p.m. on Saturday at the old bus barn at The Crossing church. For information call Erica at (479) 2345289 or Candice at (501) 356-8300.

Holiday Bazaar, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nov. 18, at First Presbyterian Church, corner of Church & Ninth. Baked goods, hand-crafted items, White Elephant tables, Christmas music, complimentary refreshments and door prizes. Drop by and visit Santa & Mrs. Claus from 10 a.m. to noon. Proceeds go toward church youth projects. One free photograph per family.

Jam session every Tuesday night, 6-9 p.m. at Shady Mountain Events, 428 Hwy. 375 East, Mena. No charge, everyone is welcome. All genres of music. Bring your own instrument, come watch or dance. Call (479) 234-7174 with questions.

First Presbyterian Church will be presenting a series on the Book of Revelation in its Adult Sunday School class on Sunday mornings beginning at 9:45. Earl Harrell will be the presenter and will focus on the titles of Jesus as revealed in the Book of Revelation. The public is invited to attend. Classes will be in the Helen Barham Room at the church, 904 Church Avenue, Mena.

The Ouachita Beekeepers Association is now meeting on the second Thursday of the month, 7 p.m. in the Education Building of the UA Extension Office, 211 DeQueen St., Mena. Come early and enjoy refreshments and bee talk with other beekeepers.

The Hatfield Branch Library is open every Tuesday and Friday from noon-4 p.m. The library is located at 121 Cemetery Rd. (old Agri building) in Hatfield.

The Cove Branch Library is open Monday and Thursday from noon-5 p.m. The Library is located next to Cove Town Hall at 5568 Hwy. 71 S.

The Mena/Polk County Senior Center will have The Gator and Friends band performing in Mena every Thursday, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

The Center has an exercise class on Mondays and Thursdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Contact Trena Looney with questions, (479) 394-5459.

The Cossatot Senior Center in Wickes has meals and activities for seniors.The hours are 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday-Friday. If you need to make delivery arrangements or changes call (870) 3852373.

Hatfield First Baptist Church

“Shepherd’s Closet” Open Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-noon. Large selection of good, used clothing & a limited supply of non-perishable food items. Free to anyone in need.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at The Crossing Church, 3 p.m., Sundays; at 5 p.m., Tuesdays; and at 8 p.m. Saturdays at the old bus barn. For information call (479) 234-8366 or (479) 216-3786.

American Legion meets every 2nd Tuesday at the Legion Hall in Acorn. Potluck at 6 p.m., meeting follows.

Come play Bingo, Saturdays and Mondays, starts at 6 p.m., doors open at 4 p.m.

Reynolds Gardner Commu- nity Men’s Breakfast every Tuesday, First United Methodist Church, Mena, 8 a.m. (full breakfast for small donation). All men from the community are invited to attend.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 7 p.m. Fridays at the First United Methodist Church, Ninth Street and Port Arthur. Discussion/Book Study for information call (479) 243-0297.

It’s easy to have your event listed in Around Town, which will be read on radio stations KENA and KQOR daily. Simply send your Around Town announcement to news@mypulsenews.com or call (479) 243-9600 and let us know about your event! To have it in the Polk County Pulse newspaper, we need to know by FIVE on FRIDAY. We look forward to continuing to serve the community!

The following information was received from Polk County law enforcement agencies. The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts. Individuals charged and whose names appear in this column may submit documentation to us at a later date that the charges have been dismissed, or that they have been found innocent, and we will include that information in this space in a timely manner.

POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S LOG

November 6, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 280 near Cove in reference to a welfare check.

Courtney Sullivan, 27, of Mena was arrested to be held on a drug court sanction.

Daniel Chaney, 28, of Gurdon was arrested on nine Failure to Appear Warrants.

November 7, 2023

No reports.

November 8, 2023

Jennifer Johnson, 45, of Horatio was arrested on a Body Attachment.

Chad Thornton, 32, of Waldron was arrested on three Failure to Appear Warrants.

Deputies were dispatched to a business near Hatfield in reference to a hit and run accident.

Deputies were dispatched to a business near Big Fork in reference to contraband being found. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

November 9, 2023

Honey Harris, 20, of Mena was arrested on a warrant for 3rd Degree Domestic Battery.

Deputies responded to a vehicle accident on Hwy 246 near Hatfield leading to the arrest of Gary Ward, 65, of Mena on a charge of DWI.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to harass-