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Centenarian World War II veteran Stella Lavadie, residing in New Mexico, bestowed with prestigious national military recognition

Home in Santa Fe, Stella Lavadie perused her scrapbook, finding herself reminiscing about her World War II past with dog tags displayed on a page.

Centenarian World War II veteran Stella Lavadie from New Mexico is bestowed with a prestigious...
Centenarian World War II veteran Stella Lavadie from New Mexico is bestowed with a prestigious national military honor

Centenarian World War II veteran Stella Lavadie, residing in New Mexico, bestowed with prestigious national military recognition

Stella Lavadie, a World War II Veteran and Living Legend

Stella Lavadie, a resident of New Mexico, has been honoured as a "Military Women's Memorial Living Legend." This recognition came during a ceremony held on Wednesday afternoon.

Born in Taos in 1921, Lavadie's military career began in 1944, inspired by an Uncle Sam poster. She served in the Women's Army Corps (WAC) during World War II, working in supplies and delivering orders for an adjutant general.

Lavadie's military service took her to various locations, including New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, and later, to southwest Wyoming. However, it was during World War II that her experiences were most profound.

Lavadie served as a personal affairs consultant, helping men prepare their final wishes. She remembers the events of the war vividly, almost 80 years later, with her recollections as fresh as if they were yesterday.

Upon the Japanese surrender in August 1945, Lavadie felt a mix of relief and sadness. Relief for the war's end, but also for the young soldiers who died on D-Day.

During her time in the military, Lavadie developed a fondness for the marching aspect of military life. She also shared a special bond with her friend Ruby Hart, often singing the World War II-era song "We'll Meet Again" at the back porch of the barracks. In fact, during a recent interview, Lavadie sang parts of the song.

Lavadie's military service ended in 1946, and she was honorably discharged on January 21 of that year. After her military career, she moved back to New Mexico.

On the occasion of this recognition, Lavadie's son, Larry Lavadie, presented her with a medal. The Military Women's Memorial, the country's only memorial dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of women's service in the military, bestowed this honour upon her.

Today, Stella Lavadie continues to share her experiences from World War II, providing a valuable link to the past for future generations. Her story is a testament to the courage and resilience of the women who served during that time.

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