Schneider Honors Tenth District Women Veterans from First Illinois All-Female Honor Flight
Above: Schneider presents (left to right) Staff Sergeant Patti Lindley, Sergeant Cindy Collins, Dr. Mary Roberson, Master Sergeant Ginny Narsete with a Congressional Record statement honoring their service
HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. – Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) Saturday honored five Tenth District veterans who flew to Washington, D.C. this October on Illinois's first all-female Honor Flight. Schneider presented Sergeant Cindy Collins, Petty Officer 3rd Class Mary Roberson, Staff Sergeant Patti Lindley, and Master Sergeant Ginny Narsete (not pictured: Master Sergeant Rita Holmes) with a statement from the congressional record recognizing their service at the Highland Park Veterans Memorial.
"The historic all-female honor flight is the long-overdue recognition for these trailblazing women deserve. Each one of them answered the call to serve their country at a time when women in the military were often targeted, harassed and discriminated against. I am honored to recognize these American heroes, especially Sergeant Collins, Master Sergeant Holmes, Petty Officer 3rd Class Roberson, Staff Sergeant Lindley and Master Sergeant Narsete, for their service. A grateful nation thanks them for their courage," Schneider said.
On October 6, 93 women veterans ranging in age from 63 to 105 flew to Washington, DC on Illinois's first all-female Honor Flight. Put on by Operation HerStory and Honor Flight Chicago, the flight was the first time that many of these women veterans were formally thanked for their service. The honor flight took nearly three years to organize.
Biographies of the veterans that Congressman Schneider honored are below:
- Staff Sergeant Patti Lindley served two years in the Vietnam War, where she earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. Upon her honorable discharge, she served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, where she worked on plans and operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
- Master Sergeant Ginny Narsete spearheaded the effort to host an all-female honor flight. Sergeant Narsete enlisted in the Air Force shortly after high school and went on to lead a distinguished, award-winning military career. When she returned home, she made it her mission to give back to veterans through her job at the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs and by volunteering with many veterans' organizations, including the American Legion.
- Sergeant Cindy Collins served in the Army from 1973-1977, where she was one of the first two women in her company. Always proud of her service, Cindy says that serving in the military was the best thing that has ever happened to her because it taught her courage and responsibility.
- Master Sergeant Rita Holmes (not pictured) served two tours in Germany and later a tour in Korea. Rita achieved the highest enlisted rank possible during her time in the military.
- Petty Officer 3rd Class Mary Roberson served our country for three years in Vietnam from 1973 – 1976. When she returned home, she struggled with PTSD and addiction to cope with what she experienced in the military. She then embarked on an incredible three decade career in the human services and behavioral health field, helping people from vulnerable communities who went through struggles similar to what she went through.
The full congressional record statement honoring these trailblazing veterans is available here.
Above: Schneider talks with Tenth District veterans who recently flew on the first all-female Illinois honor flight to Washington, DC
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