Friday, May 1, 2015





My good friend Suzanne has a 96 year old mother.  


She mentioned that Jane (her mom) was a SPAR in the Coast Guard in World War II. 

I asked, "What is a SPAR?"

We discovered SPARs was the nickname for the United States Coast Guard Women's Reserve, created November 23, 1942 with the signing of the law by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

The name is the contraction of the Coast Guard motto:  Semper Paratus...meaning "Always Ready."

The 1940's bring memories of tearful goodbyes, war bond drives, ration cards, and much feared telegrams.

For the women left behind, the reality of the war was close to home.

These mother's, daughters, sisters and fiancees wanted to do their part, too, and became soldiers, sailors, and airmen.

The US Coast Guard paved the way for Coast Guard women of today by creating the Coast Guard Women's Reserve (SPARs).

Filling US shore jobs with women allowed more men to serve elsewhere and hastened the war effort.

Jane will be honored at the World War II Memorial in Washington DC with ninety-six men and three other women May 2, 2015.

A "mail call" will be held:  friends and family were asked to present these honorees with cards and letters to be delivered on the flight over.

As a paper crafter extraordinaire, it was my privilege to design a special card for her.

Her courage was an inspiration to me, and for this card!

3 comments:

  1. Jane...I love your first blogpost! Congratulations. Can't wait to read more!

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  2. Enjoyed your first blog. I just wrote my first blog last week on my new website. Please take a look at www.refreshyourspirityoga.com And like my page! Look forward to seeing your next blog. I still remember the beautiful photo albums you created. Very inspirational.

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  3. Great first post! I love your patriotic card -- and is that a stamp image in its center? Congratulations and here's to many more!

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