[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 17, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO DOROTHY KOHLARS

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                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 17, 1998

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your 
attention today the remarkable and memorable life of Dorothy Kohlars, 
perhaps the oldest living veteran alive today at the young age of 
102\1/2\ years. Dorothy, a resident of the Veterans Home of California 
in Barstow, was recently inducted into the Mojave Desert Chapter of the 
Retired Officers Association.
  Dorothy Kohlars was born on August 22, 1895 in Hanover, 
Massachusetts. She joined the Army Nurse Corps in 1918 and enlisted for 
a second time in 1920 serving for approximately 3\1/2\ years all 
together. As an Army nurse in World War I, Dorothy was one of about 200 
nurses working at an allied forces hospital in France during the Meuse-
Argonne Offensive in 1918. She worked as a bandage nurse and spent much 
of her time applying dressings to wounded soldiers. At that point in 
time, nurses were not commissioned and did not have a military rank. 
Barbara Churchill, who served as a Navy nurse in World War II, said 
that Dorothy Kohlars paved the way for nurses. ``There was a dire need 
for nurses back then and women like Dorothy filled that need,'' 
Churchill said.
  The Retired Officers Association is a national group of retired 
military commissioned and warrant officers. Saul Rosenthal, TROA's 
liaison, said his organization read about Kohlars in the local 
newspaper and its membership felt it appropriate to name her as an 
honorary member. ``I think it's wonderful for them to think of me this 
way,'' Kohlars said. ``That was another time. It seems so long ago.''
  Dorothy was married in 1932 and worked as a nurse until 1943. Today, 
she enjoys visiting with friends, and listening to music, talking 
books, and to the news on Braille talking records.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me and our colleagues in recognizing the 
incredible lifetime contributions and achievements of this remarkable 
woman. Dorothy Kohlars is a living national treasure and it is only 
fitting that the House of Representatives pay tribute to her today.

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