#VeteranOfTheDay Mary V. Cowan Geffken

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Mary V. Cowan Geffken. Mary served during World War II.

Mary joined Women’s Army Corps in 1943. After her basic training at Fort Devens, Massachussets, she was assigned to Pentagon’s “Secret Room,” where she transcribed messages from various war fronts. While assigned to the Pentagon, Mary was selected as the model for the most famous WAC recruiting poster of World War II, “Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory,” painted by the artist Jes Wilhelm Schlaikjer.

After the war, Mary raised three children with her husband, U.S. Army World War II decorated Veteran Sgt. George Howard Geffken. She also worked as a radiology technician. She and George eventually retired to North Fort Myers, Florida. Her husband passed away in 2011 and is interred in Arlington National Cemetery, close to U.S. Army post Fort Myer where they had lived, and near the Pentagon where they both worked.

Thank you for your service, Mary!

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? You’re in luck! VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much of the information as you can put together with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating for how to create the best submission.

Graphic By Kierra Willis: Kierra Willis is a Graphic Communication Major at the University of Maryland University College. She currently has an AAS in Graphic Design and Visual Communications.