For many, Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial kick-off to summer, not to mention the highly anticipated release of “Top Gun: Maverick.”
For many, Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial kick-off to summer, not to mention the highly anticipated release of “Top Gun: Maverick.”
But, more significantly, it is a chance to honor all men and women who served in the United States military.
Women, specifically, continue to break down barriers and stereotypes throughout the country — and the U.S. military is no exception.
Some female veterans have described feeling discriminated against by their male counterparts, being labeled “the invisible veterans.”
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are nearly two million living female veterans in the nation.
From mending injured soldiers back to health during the American Revolution, to being convoy commanders on the roads of Iraq, women have been serving in one form or another for more than 200 years.
“We have overcome so many obstacles to get where we are now,” said U.S. Army veteran Kim Heiss, who continues to actively serve. “Today, we serve in combat roles and in leadership positions all over the world.”
Less than 1% of the approximate veteran population in Geauga County are female, according to Geauga County Veterans Service Commission.
Michele Pemberton
Michele Pemberton, of Mantua, served in the U.S. Army from July 1996 to February 2000.
She deployed to Bosnia to help maintain peace during their “stabilization” period in 1997.
In May 2021, she began employment with GCVSC as an administrative assistant and worked her way to director in 2013.
“It has been my honor to serve my brothers and sisters and their families to ensure they receive what they are eligible for,” Pemberton said. “Being a veteran service officer is the best job you will ever have.”
For the past 10 years, she’s trained three GCVSC officers to be able to provide assistance veterans never had.
“I immediately made outreach a priority,” Pemberton said, referring to speaking events at senior centers, assisted living centers, nursing homes and county service organizations.
Through her leadership, she helped provide mental health treatment through Geauga County’s veterans service office two days a week, as well as increased veterans affairs expenditures in the county.
In 2021, she was named the first “Women Veteran Liaison” for the Ohio State Association of County Veteran Service Officers.
“Lastly, I had the honor to give testimony at the Ohio House of Representatives to support H.B. 584, the naming of Veterans Legacy Highway,” said Pemberton, who will be leaving GCVSC next year and moving on to a new adventure.
“Memorial Day is the time we pay homage to all of those killed in action, missing in action and the many lost by suicide,” Pemberton said. “It is not about me or the veterans walking in the parades or those enjoying cookouts … it is to remember those that gave their lives for our freedoms.”
Stacie Malone
Malone, of Chardon, has a combined service of 20 years — active duty and reserves —in a variety of units as a radioman and information technologist, with two tours of duty.
“I served in a variety of units from sea to shore … after the USS Cole was bombed in Yemen,” Malone said. “Serving two tours in Iraq was difficult. Being away from my family, (it) gives you a whole new perspective on things.”
Her father, Bruce Hall, and grandfather, Calvin Hall, inspired her to join the military.
Hall retired as U.S. Navy’s senior chief.
”So, it’s been a family affair,” Malone said. “And at the time (I decided to join), the movie ‘Top Gun’ (was an influence), so that helped, too.”
She said it’s hard to put into words what Memorial Day means to her.
“Of course, it’s to memorialize those that have gone before us that have fought for our freedoms today,” Malone said. “But when you serve and have been to war and made it back home, there is a much more deeper meaning and many unanswered questions. A lot of reflection comes to mind, such as how are the people you served with doing and the ones who didn’t make it back.
“Women veterans have been serving for a long time and are still fighting for the respect that men get as a veteran. I can’t even recall how many people assume my husband is the veteran instead of me,” she added. “One would think in this world today people would stop assuming it’s always the man that served. Women veterans are just as valuable whether we are on the front lines fighting or in the rear as operations, supply or medical services.”
Allison Albrecht
Allison Albrecht, of South Russell Village, served as a database administrator from August 1997 to August 2005.
“My lifelong best friend and I joined the (U.S.) Army during the summer of our
senior year of high school through the delayed entry program,” said Albrecht, who grew up in Parkman Township. “She was the motivation behind it all.”
She said Memorial Day is such a beautiful day to remember and honor the men and women lost during the wars.
“I love to see the troves of people out wearing poppies and waving all the American flags during parades, all in honor of the people who selflessly sacrificed their lives for this country,” Albrecht said.
She added there are so many interesting memories that come to mind when she thinks
of women in the service.
One of the women she had the privilege of working with in D.C. during 9/11 was featured on the cover of Soldier Magazine running from the Pentagon.
“I’ll never forget the way she looked in her uniform, running away from the chaos, tears on her face,” Albrecht said.
One of her favorite things about Geauga is attending The Great Geauga County Fair every year on Sunday to watch the Battle of the Bands.
“Before every show, each branch of the service has their song played and all of the veterans are asked to stand and be honored,” Albrecht said. “It’s such an awesome tribute.”
Evelyn Siu
Originally from eastern Pennsylvania, Evelyn Siu, of Munson Township, attended Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Fla.
Upon graduation, she was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Navy and attended flight training, earning her naval aviator wings.
“I served 13 years on active duty as a pilot, including two SH-3 helicopter squadron tours — one tour overseas as a UC-12 (fixed wing aircraft) pilot and one tour as a company officer at the U.S. Naval Academy,” Siu said.
Her final tour of duty was with a tactical air control squadron.
“I have landed helicopters aboard my different types of ships, from large aircraft carriers, to amphibious assault ships, to small frigates,” Siu said. “Shipboard operations were challenging, but very rewarding. I also had the opportunity to land fixed wing aircraft in many interesting locations in the western Pacific, including Iwo Jima, and Midway and Wake Islands.”
She was inspired to join the military by her many family members who served.
“Memorial Day is a very special but bittersweet day for me,” Siu said.
She helps place flags on the graves of veterans at local cemeteries.
“I am always inspired by seeing the final resting places of those who served our nation in the American Revolution up through more recent conflicts,” Siu said. “It’s humbling to think that for many generations, Americans have been answering the call to defend our freedom. It’s also sad to think about friends who died in service without ever having the chance to live a full life, marry, raise children and enjoy the freedom they fought to defend.”
Siu is currently pursuing a master’s degree in military history through the Citadel Graduate College. Her son has just begun his own military career as a JAG officer in the U. S. Navy.
“Since both my husband and I are navy veterans, we are especially proud of his accomplishments,” Siu said, adding “Top Gun” holds a special place in her heart, as well, and she is excited to see the sequel.
“I was stationed near NAS Miramar when the first movie was released and also served a tour of duty at NAS Pensacola, the home of the Blue Angels,” Siu said. “There is nothing like watching great flying.”
When she served on active duty in the navy, there were very few women officers, especially in naval aviation.
“My military experience taught me some very valuable life skills, the most important of which was that it’s results that matter in the military and in life — not gender, not skin color, not anything other than mission accomplishment,” Siu said. “To serve with the best, you need to be able to get the job done.”
Sandra Flannery
Sandra Flannery, of Newbury Township, served in the U.S. Coast Guard as a boatswain’s mate, performing search and rescue and maritime law enforcement.
Her father is an U.S. Army veteran and growing up, she spent all her summers boating and fishing.
“When I was 12, my dad took me fishing on the breakwall across from the Fairport Harbor Coast Guard Station,” Flannery said. “The CG boat was responding to an emergency call with lights and siren. At that moment, I looked at my dad and told him that one day, I’d be driving that boat and helping people. Indeed, I did.”
To Flannery, Memorial Day is a day of refection and remembrance.
“It’s humbling to walk through your local cemetery on Memorial Day to see the decorated graves of our local heroes, see what war they were involved in, and reflect on their service and sacrifice,” Flannery said.
Kim Heiss
Kim Heiss, of Shalersville, joined the U.S. Army in 1989, served for over 33 years, and is currently a sergeant major for the 475th Quarter Master Group out of Farrell, Pa.
Heiss served three combat tours from 1990 to 1991 — Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Desert Calm — and Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2005 to 2006.
“I joined the military because I wanted to travel the world,” Heiss said.
She has traveled to Vietnam and Cambodia with fellow veterans and dedicated hill climbs to the fallen and fellow soldiers with whom she served with, including Hamburger Hill.
An active member of the Middlefield VFW and the American Legion of Burton, Heiss enjoys talking, hanging out with and volunteering with older generations.
”I love to listen to all the stories, most only told to people who can relate, like fellow veterans,” Heiss said, adding Memorial Day reminds her what veterans have given to the nation, no matter their gender.
“Every veteran has given something to this country, without asking for anything in return,” she said.
