Vice Admiral Pat Tracey Special Guest for Women Veterans Week

The Women Veterans Committee welcomes Vice Admiral Pat Tracey, the highest ranking woman in the US Navy, as guest of honor for Women Veterans Week activities. She is the first woman in the Navy to achieve the rank of Vice Admiral.

In her final assignment before retirement, Tracey served as the first director of the Navy staff - a 1,400-person headquarters, with nine flag-level directorates and a $90 million budget. Following the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon which destroyed 89% of the Navy staff spaces, she led the emergency reconstitution effort, taking the staff to wartime footing by midnight after the attack. She directed the design and reconstruction of work spaces, completing within ten weeks.

Her personal decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service, three Legion of Merit Awards, and three Meritorious Service Medals. Vice Admiral Tracey retired in 2004.

The fourth annual Branson Women Veterans Week is May 19-25. A full schedule of activities is planned beginning with dinner and a show on Wednesday evening (May 21) and culminating with the annual banquet on Saturday evening. Four years ago, the Mayor of Branson proclaimed the third week in May as Women Veterans Week; since then the event has grown in size and concept.

Branson shows, restaurants, attractions and hotels welcome the women whose service to our country ranges from WWII to the present. All women veterans and active duty personnel are invited to attend. The committee welcomes the opportunity to honor women who, in many cases, served their country before their service was valued or even recognized.

The Women's Committee is a committee of the Branson Veterans Task Force. For more informationon the Task Force, view www.bransonveterans.com or call 417.337.8387.