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When Nancy Carver was walking around the Albemarle County Fair with her 17 years ago, she had not been thinking much about her military service.
Carver, who grew up in Albemarle County, had few options in the military as a 19-year-old woman in 1961. If she wanted to go overseas, she had to be a nurse or mechanic, but could not be in active combat . Instead, she has been appointed to the command of the United States Marine Corps at Fort Pendleton in San Diego.
"I always said I could shoot anybody," said Carver, clad in a red blazer. "And I could."
Carver was joined by 45 veterans and their families at the American Legion Post 74 in Keswick on Saturday to celebrate the 243rd anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Marine Corps.
"Some of the guys are getting old so it's hard to get them all out here," said Col. James O'Kelley, Commander of the Bradley T. Arms Detachment of the Marine Corps League.
The military branch was formed in Nov. 10, 1775, during the American Revolution as a force to accompany naval operations.
"I think we're hurt nowadays to have the level of peace we have in this country," O'Kelley said.
Carver served a year and went on her life. Then that day at the fair, he was approached by a man with the American Legion who asked if he'd be served in the military.
Her, a Navy veteran, answered affirmatively. The Legionnaire asked him to join the group and Carver's said he'd love to join, as long as they let his mother in as well.
Unfortunately, the man said, she could only be in the American Legion Auxiliary, a branch dedicated exclusively to women veterans.
Carver's say, "Do not you ever talk to my mother again?" She was quickly offered a spot in the Legion.
Carver was proud of her son in the moment.
Although she served during the "whispers of Vietnam," she saw it, she saw it again and looked at her service in a different light.
"I never knew that I was veteran," she said.
As a woman, Carver said it's still hard to overcome. When she's wearing a gold hat, she said, her husband or her will be served. Carver was the first woman commander of American Legion Post 74 in Keswick.
"Carver said, pointing to her head. "After all this time it's still frustrating and has not changed."
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