HR1065 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1065 LRB097 21549 GRL 69693 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor and recognize Mildred McDowell for being the oldest living female Air Force veteran of World War II; and

WHEREAS, Mildred McDowell was born on February 17, 1908, near Brownstown; she currently lives at the Altamont Lutheran Care Center; and

WHEREAS, Mildred McDowell served as a teacher for 14 years before changing careers once she learned the military began accepting women during World War II; after enlisting in the Women's Army Corps (WAC), she was assigned to the Roswell Army Airfield in New Mexico, where she packed parachutes; she later worked in supply, issuing airplane parts; after her honorable discharge in December of 1945, she re-enlisted on March 18, 1946; and

WHEREAS, Following her service in WAC, Mildred McDowell transferred into the United States Air Force and was assigned to Germany, where she worked in the technical order library; she received a second honorable discharge in 1949; and

WHEREAS, After an unsuccessful third enlistment attempt, Mildred McDowell returned to civilian life; after briefly returning to teaching, she changed careers again and worked as a civil servant until her retirement in 1970; and

WHEREAS, Mildred McDowell's great dedication and willingness to serve her country make her a model for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor and recognize Mildred McDowell for being the oldest living female Air Force veteran of World War II and wish her many happy and healthy years to come; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Mildred McDowell as a symbol of our esteem and respect.