THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 31, 1994 TAG: 9407290245
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
We are very delighted that in your recent Beacon article on the 50th anniversary reunion of the Virginia Belles you showed a photo of our ladies pledging allegiance to the United States flag. It points up what we are: women of devotion, not only to our country, but also to the community, church and family.
There are two facets to any reunion: Then and Now. The reporter only told half the story, the WWII aspect, and failed to give the follow-up evidence that during the 50-year interim the Virginia Belles have lived successful, moral and responsible lives. What they are now may be more important than what they were then.
As for our enjoyment of these days, even though our country was at war, we certainly did enjoy dancing to the big-name bands, just as other women enjoyed their war service. My mother, for example, enjoyed working as an aircraft warning tracker in the old Post Office, and another of our chaperones enjoyed driving in Red Cross convoys with other Gray Ladies.
Virginia Belles are not women's libbers. We honor our men, and therefore find it hard to understand how the reporter could have interviewed Lois Bellamy Martin and never mention that her husband, Judge Fred E. Martin Jr., was attending the reunion with her.
Amelia E. Hitchings
Chairman, Virginia Belles by CNB