Billings, Montana – The memory of the United States’ war heroes from World War II is quickly eroding. Since only a small percentage of the 16 million people who served in the military are still alive today, there was a lot to be thankful for this past weekend in Billings when one of those veterans reached the milestone of her 100th birthday.
Due to the significance of the event, Lorraine Blank was surrounded by her family and friends. During the course of the war, she was one of approximately 350,000 women in the United States who served in the armed forces and played an important role.
“She served in the U.S. Navy. Women could not go aboard a ship, so she installed fuel lines and bomb bay doors in B-17s,” said Jerry Hudson, VFW Post 1634 Commander.
According to Hudson, the VFW was pleased to assist in the hosting of a party for Blank.
“She was so proud of her country, I found out. She just loves patriotism, loves everything about America, and she just had to serve. Her father had served, and she wanted to serve and what an honor to be there to see a 100-year-old lady that was a Navy veteran. It touched my heart,” Hudson says.
A little more than 160,000 veterans of World War II are still with us today, which is less than 3 percent of the total number of people who served throughout the conflict.
