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Jacksonville celebrates Women Veterans Recognition Week

JACKSONVILLE, Fla — It’s Women Veterans Recognition Week and today The City of Jacksonville applauded all the women who have played a part in helping the U.S. stay safe.

“We are the 2nd most female veteran population in the country, 1st in the state of Florida,” said Mayor Curry.

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Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry says today’s ceremony meant a lot to him because there is a special place in his heart for Veterans. Mayor Curry recently lost his father just two weeks ago who served in the U.S. Navy.

This morning inside city hall Mayor Lenny Curry, a number of local military organizations and female Veterans in Jax gathered to celebrate Women Veterans Recognition Week. It’s where the nation honors women in all branches of the military.

Tina Caston is one of those women, she joined the U.S. Navy in 1983 and retired in 2002 as a commander. While the decision to join the Navy was her own, she was influenced to serve her country after a large handful of family members served.

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At this time Caston volunteers with AARP’s Veterans Outreach Program and is a member of the Disabled American Veterans Organization.

She says her favorite part was traveling around the world and meeting new people from all walks of life.

“I decided to join the Navy because it had the least amount of African American officers and I looked at the opportunities for leadership,” said Caston.

Opportunities specifically for women that were not allowed until June 12, 1948, when then U.S. President Harry S. Truman signed into law The Women’s Armed Services Integration Act. A law allowing women to serve in the military.

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Today, Mayor Curry signed a proclamation. According to The Northeast Florida Womens Veteran Center it’ll help get more funding from the state specifically The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs for things like rental assistance, food and utility cost.

“Women have served honorably and continue to and I thought it was important to recognize that,” said Mayor Curry.

“Know your value as a woman, do not stand for the drama or the madness, nobody has power over you,” said Caston.

The city will continue to celebrate Jacksonville’s female veteran this week with a number of other ceremonies and activities that you can find by visiting this link.

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