[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 80 (Monday, May 10, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S2411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO STELLA LAVADIE

 Mr. LUJAN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and share 
the inspirational story of native New Mexican Ms. Stella Lavadie, who 
celebrated her 100th birthday on April 29, 2021. Her friends, family, 
and neighbors know Stella as a warm-hearted woman who celebrates her 
veteran community with great pride and has lived a remarkable and 
impactful life. A member of the ``greatest generation,'' Stella was 
born in 1921 in Taos, and while she grew up partially in Wyoming, she 
returned to New Mexico as a young adult to attend my alma mater, New 
Mexico Highlands University. In a pivotal moment, Stella recalls seeing 
Uncle Sam on signs in Albuquerque beckoning her: ``I want you!'' they 
said, and she answered the call. Stella enlisted for the Women's Army 
Corps in 1944 at the Bruns Army Hospital in Santa Fe and trained at 
Fort Des Moines. Taking great pride in her fatigues and dress uniform, 
Stella completed duty stations in Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and 
South Dakota. Stella completed her service in 1946 when the war was 
won, but she has said she would gladly have stayed in the Women's Army 
Corps if given the chance.
  Throughout her life, Stella has carried with her meaningful memories 
from her service, including fellow Women Army Corps member Ruby Hart 
singing ``Till we meet again'' and marching in formation every Saturday 
morning in front of the ranking officers. Upon returning home to New 
Mexico, Stella continued her Federal service working at the University 
of California in Los Alamos, then at the Atomic Energy Commission also 
in Los Alamos, before rounding out her career with a combined 32 years 
at the Bureau of Land Management doing essential work contributing to 
the management of New Mexico's Federal lands. She raised three children 
as a single mother in the 1950s, due to her husband's early death, and 
built a beautiful family in her own home State of New Mexico.
  I want to personally wish Stella a happy 100th birthday and thank her 
for her service and barrier-breaking accomplishments. In 2015, I had 
the pleasure of greeting Stella on her visit to D.C. on Honor Flight 
No. 0615, and I was honored to celebrate her birthday in a drive-by 
celebration this year.
  Stella, thank you for your service, and it is an honor to play a 
small part in your story.

                          ____________________