00:42Phyllis Jones shared her deep connection to the Military Women’s Memorial, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the often-overlooked contributions of women in military history. Located at the entrance to Arlington Cemetery, the memorial serves as a repository for the stories of women veterans. Jones detailed her personal journey, joining the Air Force after high school due to financial constraints and a desire to avoid a conventional desk job. Her choice was inspired by a television commercial, and despite her mother’s initial concerns about her health, she successfully enlisted and trained at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.

06:20During her service with the 60th Aerial Port Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, Jones played a critical role in the transportation of troops to Vietnam, a task that required precise organization and coordination. She recounted the nonstop operations, with planes departing every half hour, and the teamwork essential to ensuring the safety of the troops. Her pride in her contributions was underscored by a presidential citation her unit received for deploying 100,000 men to Vietnam in July 1966.

17:59At the council meeting, she expressed concern over the low registration numbers of New Jersey women at the memorial, contrasting it with Alaska’s more than 2,000 registered women. Many women were unaware of the memorial’s existence, as Jones noted, “Every time I say something to somebody they say, ‘Well, I didn’t know it was there. I didn’t know about this.’”

22:30To bridge this gap, Jones encouraged women veterans to register their stories on the memorial’s website, emphasizing the simplicity and cost-free nature of the process. Her efforts to raise awareness included plans to collaborate with military bases in New Jersey and local legislators, like Senator Owen Henry, to promote the memorial and its significance. She shared her discussions with McGuire Air Force Base’s commandant and her hope to engage more community leaders in the initiative.

Jones also highlighted the architectural beauty of the memorial and its collection of artifacts and narratives. She invited the public to visit and contribute, noting that the memorial accepts donations and operates a gift shop. The conversation shifted to the portrayal of women in military history through film, with Jones recommending “The 6888th” on Netflix, a film about an African American unit in World War II, and “Hello Girls,” which depicts women operators in World War I. She lamented the lack of cinematic recognition for these achievements, particularly the 6888th’s efficient handling of a mail backlog.

14:10Reflecting on the evolution of women’s roles in the military, Jones acknowledged historical barriers and recent advancements, including the ability for women to serve while pregnant and the historic all-female crew in space. She concluded by expressing her willingness to connect with other veterans, offering her contact information for those interested in learning more or contributing to the memorial’s mission.