25-03-2025
Honoring women veterans one story at a time
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Honoring women veterans one story at a time. A local Air Force Veteran holds an Annual Tea and Talk during Women's History Month to highlight female military achievements.
'These ladies were World War I veterans, and they were women. They were called the Hello Girls,' said Air Force Veteran Janice Gavern.
Gavern is committed to women's veteran issues.
'The more I tell the message and the more I get out to my sister servicewomen, the more they are inclined to go out and do the same sorts of things,' Gavern explained.
For the 17th year, Gavern held the Women Veterans and Friends Tea at the Gino J. Merli Veterans' Center in Scranton.
'She was a veteran. Her name is Iris Critchell. Iris Critchell was very unique,' Gavern said.
Gavern hosts the event each year to recognize fellow women veterans' service.
'If I don't come out and do this, who is going to thank women veterans for their service?' Gavern asked.
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Three women were recognized this year, including Helen O'Hara, given a rose plant as a memento and a salute.
'During the war, I was Korean, the Korean Conflict, yes,' O'Hara said.
A Navy veteran, O'Hara says she enjoyed the tea and learning about the servicewomen who came before her.
'It's true, everything she said, 'I was shaking my head yes.' That's the way it is and that's the way it was,' O'Hara stated.
Gavern also presented yellow roses to the other women in the room: Veterans' spouses.
'This is my effort to make sure that they get thanked as they get older,' said Gavern.
Gavern says it's important to honor the women veterans who came before them and paved the way for the women veterans of today.
Born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Gavern enlisted in the Air Force upon graduating from South Scranton Central Catholic High School.
After four years spent on active duty, she joined the Air Force Reserves, serving another 22 years. She continues to serve her country as the Deputy Commander for Women Veterans' Issues at the 15th District American Legion Department of Pennsylvania.
'What we're trying to do is say that women did this. This is history. It is not something they were handed, believe me,' Gavern explained.
Gavern is also the historian for Gardner Warner American Legion Post 154 in Montrose. She's also the Acting Historian for Gladys Watkins American Legion Post 550, which once existed in Scranton.
Additionally, a breast cancer and brain aneurysm survivor.
'I'm not ready to quit. I'm still doing this,' Gavern added.
Keeping the stories of her sister servicewomen alive, Janice is a Remarkable Woman.
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