[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 60 (Friday, April 13, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E455]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING MS. VERONICA ``RONNIE'' BRADLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELIZABETH H. ESTY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 13, 2018

  Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and service of Veronica ``Ronnie'' Bradley, a groundbreaking Marine 
Corps veteran. Ronnie, a longtime resident of New Milford, Connecticut, 
passed away on February 25 at the age of 95 after a long and inspiring 
life.
  As a young woman, Ronnie became one of the first women to join the 
Marine Corps in 1942 during the Second World War. Following boot camp 
and training, Ronnie was stationed at an air base in Santa Barbara, 
California. The Marine Corps was one of the last to welcome women into 
service, and Ronnie and her compatriots were instrumental in changing 
the service's culture to recognize the passion and value women brought 
to the Marines. During the war, Ronnie literally became a poster child 
of the Marine Corps--her image was used in a recruiting flyer 
encouraging women to enlist and serve.
  After the end of World War II, Ronnie left the Marines and began her 
family, but she remained active in the veteran community throughout her 
life. She shared her story and passion for service with countless 
others across Connecticut and our country, and was recognized by the 
Marine Corps as the 2011 Marine of the Year.
  Mr. Speaker, Ronnie Bradley not only volunteered to serve her country 
during a national crisis, but also broke the ground for generations of 
women to follow her in serving as Marines. Her passion and humility are 
examples to all of us who pursue public service. My condolences go out 
to Ronnie's family and all those who will miss her special spirit, and 
it is right that we celebrate her achievements here today and keep her 
story and memory alive.

                          ____________________