CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — There's a new effort aiming to recognize women in uniform. It's a portrait project organized by the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System.
The VA is now encouraging female veterans to be a part of it.
The idea is to photograph the veterans and put together a picture album to share.
The project comes just in time for Women's History Month. The VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System wants to celebrate, and that's how the portrait project came to be.
VA spokesperson Luis Loza was taking photos of women who have served in the armed forces to display for others.
"It's not just a way of saying but showing how much we appreciate the sacrifice and service that so many women have made," Loza said.
To go a step further, Loza asked the women to hold a picture of themselves when they were in the military. He said it's symbolic.
"Although they may have served, but they are no longer serving, the fact that they are veterans stays with them their entire life," Loza said.
Joann Melendez was one of the veterans who was photographed. She joined the U.S. Air Force right out of high school.
"My father was a veteran and so was my sister and my brother, so I just wanted to serve my country," Melendez said.
Melendez served from 1980-84. She said the military offered her amazing experiences like living in Japan for three and a half years.
"So that was a great experience for me. I was able to go to Guam, Hawaii, Phillipines, and Korea, so I was able to travel and see the world," Melendez said.
Melendez said she didn't join to get recognition, but it's nice that people are willing to take the time and spotlight her and many other women.
"Well, I feel honored that they took the time to come out to honor us, and I feel very special," Melendez said.
Starting in March, the pictures will be found on the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Facebook page.