(Photo by Brett Dunlap) Bryan Casey, the grandson of Hershel “Woody” Williams, accepts an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree on his grandfather’s behalf from Raymona Grant, Veterans Advocate at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, Monday during the school’s Veterans Day Ceremony Monday.

PARKERSBURG – The changing roles of women in the military and honoring one of West Virginia’s most honored veterans was the focus of the annual West Virginia University at Parkersburg Veterans Day Ceremony on Monday.

The ceremony included a wreath laying by the Blennerhassett Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and remarks from Melody Zimmerman, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and DAR member, and Bryan Casey, the grandson of Hershel “Woody” Williams, who spoke about his grandfather.

Zimmerman enlisted in July 1972 and served as part of the WAVES (originally known as Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service).

The WAVES were established on July 21, 1942, as part of the Naval Reserves during World War II to do clerical work, hospital work, weather forecasting and other jobs to free up men for active duty at sea. Around 100,000 women served in the WAVES during World War II as both enlisted personnel and officers within the continental United States as they were not permitted in combat duty.

Many were discharged after the war. Congress in 1948 passed laws that allowed women to enlist and serve in the regular Navy, but could not serve in any unit with a combat mission. Although the WAVES as it was originally intended essentially ended around this time, the name continued on until the late 1970s.

“Women are now referred to as ‘sailors’ just as the men are,” Zimmerman said, adding in 1994 Congress repealed the law that kept women out of combat situations. “Today, women are totally integrated into every aspect of the U.S. Navy.”

Zimmerman said she was on the cutting edge of women being integrated into all of the aspects of the Navy. Back in the 1970s, many facilities were not built to accommodate women.

“During my time in the Navy, I met a variety of people and learned a lot,” she said, adding she did basic training in Orlando, Fla., and did a lot of her other training in central Mississippi in an area where she still saw remnants of the segregated South and where the KKK were still active.

She was the only woman who lived on base and lived on the second floor of a barracks where men lived on the first floor. She worked in the intermediate maintenance department and other departments.

“It was a learning experience,” she said. “Being a part of the WAVES and being part of the Navy was a growing experience for an 18-year-old.

“You learn and you grow. It was an honor for me to serve and to represent the United States Navy as a veteran.”

Bryan Casey, the grandson of Hershel “Woody” Williams, accepted an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree from WVUP on his grandfather’s behalf.

Williams was a Medal of Honor recipient for his service as a U.S. Marine during the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II where he, armed with a flamethrower, destroyed a series of enemy emplacements on Feb. 23, 1945. Williams passed away at the age of 98 in 2022. He worked for years to establish Gold Star Family monuments around the county, including a number in this area. His foundation is continuing that work.

“Woody Williams embodied the highest ideals of courage, sacrifice and service to our nation,” said Raymona Grant, Veterans Advocate at WVUP.

Casey spoke about his grandfather and how he would have spoken about the day and all the veterans, not himself.

“In his words, ‘the cause is greater than I,'” he said. “The fact this honor is bestowed on a day meant to thank those who have served.

“Veterans who don’t even realize it helped God craft Woody. Veterans inspired Woody to serve. He always told the story about wanting to be a Marine at 17, because ‘the girls liked the dress blues much better than they did that green.'”

Veterans saved his grandfather’s life, especially those who died protecting him on Iwo Jima. Veterans kept him serving after the war as he worked as a Veterans Service Representative for 33 years.

“Woody’s service is not the only service we are here to recognize,” Casey said. “Veterans in this room, unwittingly served Woody. Many of you helped continue to raise funds for the scholarships the Marine Corps League does and for the Gold Star Monuments.

“Recognition like this means Woody’s legacy gets to continue. He would want to thank each of you individually. Service is the embodiment of what a veteran stands for.”

Grant spoke about how veterans inspired her as she has a number of family members who served in the military, the closest being her “Uncle Billy.” Grant detailed how he was underage and ran away from home three times and joined various services during World War II before being found out and sent home. When he was finally 18, he joined the Army and completed Ranger School.

She talked about how he took his military training and transitioned it to her as playtime and he taught her various skills at a young age, including teaching her how to swim, how to get out of a number of holds, how to resolve moral questions.

“He pushed me to limits I did not know I had as a kid and he made me who I am today,” she said. “The veterans’ impact on our lives and our communities are integral to our development and success.

“Veterans offer us an opportunity to learn and grow. We are a diverse group from different backgrounds, brothers and sisters in arms.

“We stand together.”