National Guardswoman Looks Back On Career

Most everyone involved with a military career has a fascinating tale of heroism and sacrifice to tell, and a woman in Tennessee who worked as a civilian in the National Guard is no exception.

From The Tennesseean:

Many-Bears Grinder’s mother was rescued out of the Philippines during World War II by the U.S. military. Her father was a veteran of that war. Her two brothers served in the military. She worked as a civilian clerk for the National Guard.

But early on, when people asked her to join the military, she’d always respond with the same sassy declaration: “I’m not ready for the National Guard, and the National Guard isn’t ready for me.”

After all, it was the ’70s, and Grinder was a free spirit. She wasn’t going to join the cookie-cutter rank-and-file of the military. She cherished her waist-length black hair too much. She thought maybe she’d see the world as a flight attendant.

Photo: Medders300 via Photobucket