Local author Shirley Raye Redmond shared stories about World War II women heroes included in a new book she is working on. Courtesy/LAFRW

LAFRW News:

On Saturday April 22, 2023 more than 50 Republican Women enjoyed tea and delicious cooked items at a Star Spangled Tea held in Los Alamos.

Los Alamos Federated Republican Women (LAFRW) members Dianne Coane opened the event and welcomed everyone. Mary Wilhoit gave an opening prayer and Marie Tobin and Cathy Walters led the flag salute.

Shirley Raye Redmond, a local celebrity, author and patriot was the guest speaker. She shared amazing stories about World War II women heroes, which is a new book she is working on. She shared stories about 1,000 female pilots, a woman who was a POW for 37 months, a woman who lost her life as well as her five children when a Japanese balloon/bomb landed in her backyard in Oregon, and the first Asian woman in the US Navy who taught others to shoot 50 lb. artillery guns.

The women also learned about special animal heroes, including CHIPS, a husky and the most decorated military dog; Little Smoky a terrier who saved the lives of more than  200 men; GI Joe, the War Pigeon who served in the 56th British Brigade and flew special missions to the front; Bandoola the Elephant in Burma that with his trainer rescued many elephants from Burma prior to the Japanese invasion and Smiling Warrior, a small bear who won the hearts of the men in Poland and helped immensely carrying out dangerous tasks. 

These stories will be shared in more detail in Redmond’s new book titled Brave Animal Stories for Kids: 50 True Tales that Celebrate God’s Creation coming out in August 2023 at shirleyrayeredmond.com, Amazon and other bookstores.

The Star Spangled Tea event concluded with a silent auction.