Soroptimists honor local women serving in the military

"We made sacrifices to keep the fight outside of our homes." An emotional Sheryll Valencia spoke of why she joined the Army in 2004 and made three deployments to Iraq and now works for David & Johnson, Ltd in South Lake Tahoe. "It's important to always remember the ones who sacrificed their lives," Sheryll told the women gathered for Thursday's Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra meeting.

In honor of Veteran's Day, four local military women were honored at the meeting, including the re-enlistment of Sgt. Bethany Brown of Carson City. Brown, who is the Army recruiter for the region, entered the Army in 2007 after high school graduation. After spending years in Intelligence she remembers November as the anniversary of her being injured in Afghanistan (November 3). Sgt. Brown was in Supported Special Services and walking back from a food distribution day in a neighboring village. A bomb exploded ten feet from her and a fellow officer. Brown, who is engaged, celebrated her second re-enlistment Thursday. "Sgt. Brown is the best non-commissioned officer in my company," said her commanding officer, Capt. David Robinson, during the ceremony. "She is the most reliable and full of motivation and drive which has everything to do with her being a woman."

Women make up almost 20% of the U.S. Military today. When Dr. Christina Frohlich of South Lake Tahoe was in the service, that number was closer to 10%. She finished up boot camp in 2003 and did three tours in Korea, though she longed to go where the fighting action was. Dr. Frohlich was injured jumping out of a C-130. As the HumVees and artillery were being tossed out of the plan, soldiers were jumping. She had a mid-air collision which caused a concussion and a knee injury upon landing. "There are amazing women who take care of each other in the military," she said as explaining that a woman on the ground helped her to safety. Frohlich took over the Gallanty Physical Therapy practice just over a year ago after completing her post-service education.

The other speaker Thursday was Hosana "Holly" Policarpio who is re-enlisting in the Air Force as an intelligence officer. The South Lake Tahoe resident spent time on five continents during her six deployments while in Army intelligence. Holly thanked everyone and said she appreciated the support of family, friends and the community.