Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Air Force Nurse Corps Veteran Helene Agatha Haile. Helene served during the Korean War from July 1951 to September 1953.
In September 1950, Helene graduated from nursing school at Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital in Syracuse, New York. She worked in the postoperative unit of a local hospital in her hometown of Norwich, New York, until she decided to enlist in the military in July 1951. Helene joined the Air Force Nurse Corps at the encouragement of her father who was an Air Force Veteran and had served during World War II.
Helene continued to work in the postoperative units at Sampson Air Force Base in Geneva, New York. Helene met her husband to-be Rex who was also serving at Sampson as a staff sergeant and pharmacist; the two were married in February 1953. Helene’s service was cut short when she was honorably discharged from the Air Force in September 1953. She gave birth to her first child in December of that year.
Helene opened up during an interview with Veteran’s History Project how she would have loved to fulfill her remaining two years with the military and how proud she was to have served her country. Helene and Rex settled in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, where they still live today.
We thank you for your service, Helene!
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 information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.
Veterans History Project
This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.
Graphic by Julia Wang: Julia Wang is an Economics and History of Architecture Major with a Certificate in Civic Leadership at Rice University.
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