- November 26, 2024
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Thanks to Bea Little Schmucker, a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Schmucker joined the Women’s Army Corps after graduating from high school in 1957, in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. She went to basic training at Fort McClellan, Ala., which was the first permanent home of the U.S. Army WAC Center.
At Fort Sam Houston, Texas, she was trained as a dental assistant. She was then assigned to the dental clinic at Fort Dix, N.J. In the spring of 1958, she was assisting on dental checks for a company of Army recruits. The troops waiting outside the clinic told their platoon sergeant that there was a cute WAC peeking out at him. Ron Schmucker took immediate action. They were married in December 1958.
When her husband, Ron, was commissioned as a second lieutenant, they were told that one of them had to leave the service immediately. An officer could not fraternize with an enlisted person. This would be a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
So Bea Schmucker left the service and took on the hard life of an Army wife. This included raising three children born in five years, numerous moves and frequent year-long separations.
She and husband Ron moved to Palm Coast in 1972. Bea is a charter member of the Palm Coast VFW Ladies Auxiliary where she served as its first vice-president 30 years ago. Bea is proud to have served her country. We thank you.
