Women Veterans Appreciation Day

June 12 is Women Veterans Appreciation Day in Suffolk County, created to recognize the achievements and sacrifices of women veterans who have valiantly served the United States of America. This designation was the first official recommendation of the Suffolk County Women Veterans Advisory Board, an initiative that was adopted unanimously by the Suffolk County Legislature in 2020.

Each of the 18 Legislators has selected one woman veteran from his or her legislative district to honor. Read more about these extraordinary women by clicking the link on the side panel to the right. A video montage about the honorees is available on Legislator Caracappa’s Facebook page.

“I am thrilled to host the Third Annual Suffolk County Women Veterans Appreciation Day event with the Women Veterans Advisory Board to recognize our honorees from across Suffolk County,” stated Legislator Caracappa, Chair the legislature’s Veterans & Consumer Affairs Committee.  “It is important to recognize and thank these women for their service, acknowledge their bravery and advocate for them to receive the benefits and opportunities they have rightfully earned.”

Women have formally been a part of the United States Armed Forces since the establishment of the Army Corps. in 1901, but have informally served since the inception of the American Revolution. In designating June 12th as “Women Veterans Appreciation Day,” Suffolk County emboldens the efforts of states and municipalities across the country to engage with and advocate for women veterans. June 12th was chosen for this designation because it was on this date in 1948 that President Harry S. Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, formally allowing women to serve as regular members of the military.