In 1952, Neva Cole had just graduated college. Her family had a long history of military service; so she set off to join the Navy as part of the family tradition. The role of women in her family at the time was much different than it is today. Her father and her husband told her she would absolutely not be joining the Navy; so with much regret, she didn’t join.
Fast forward nearly 60 years and times have changed, allowing her granddaughter different opportunities. Staff Sgt. Madeline Whiton, who was looking for a new career in 2008, went to her grandma for advice. The young woman was encouraged to join the military along with her 16 other male family members in service.
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