Lois Bouton, U.S. Coast Guard, WWII

Veterans Chronicles - A podcast by Radio America - Wednesdays

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Lois Bouton asked to join the U.S. Coast Guard but was told it did not accept women. The very next year, the policy changed and the Coast Guard Women's Reserve was born. Bouton joined in 1943, became a boot camp instructor and later served as a radioman along the Atlantic Coast.Almost 30 years later, in her role as a schoolteacher, Bouton began visiting recovering servicemembers at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, where she brought cookies and encouraging letters from her students.Soon she was visiting every week, and after moving to Arkansas upon retirement, Bouton started writing to Coast Guard veterans and active duty personnel. She consistently writes hundreds of cards and up to a thousand letters each year - even at age 101. She is affectionately known as the Coast Guard Lady.Author Therese Hughes also joins the conversation. Hughes is an accomplished author and photographer. Her book based upon her "In A Heart Beat" photo exhibit will be released in March.Don't miss this wonderful conversation with one of America's female military trailblazers.