World War II Marine Corps veteran and American Legion post member Patricia Murray is honored on her 100th birthday by American Legion Post Commander Carl Hernandez, California Post 348, Palmdale

 

World War II Marine's 100th birthday at Legion Post 348 (CA)

Palmdale, CA

When Patricia Murray volunteered to do her part in winning World War II, she brought her roller skates with her and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
At the age of 26, she was a professional roller skater from Toledo, Ohio, but wanted to follow the flag and help win the war against the Axis.
Marine Corps veteran Sgt. Patricia "Pat" Murray celebrated her 100th birthday on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 with two days of celebrations that culminated at American Legion Post 348, Palmdale, Calif., where she is senior post member.
A member of the “Greatest Generation” and a World War II veteran, Murray went through ‘boot camp’ in 1943 at Parris Island, S.C., and became a parachute rigger – saving pilots’ lives. She was based at El Centro, Calif., a parachute rigging hub.
As part of the birthday celebration, Murray received a U.S. flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol on Veterans Day. The flag was presented by Christine Ward, field deputy for U.S. Rep. Steve Knight.
Others on hand included Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford (pictured), and American Legion Post 348 Commander Carl Hernandez (also pictured). Murray was made an honorary for-life member of Post 348 and an honorary life member of the Legion Auxiliary. Other dignitaries on hand included State Sen. Scott Wilk, and Assemblyman Tom Lackey.
Marine Corps League Detachment 930 stalwarts Chris Chandler and Milton Cathcart also stopped by to wish Murray a ‘happy birthday,’ as did her school escort for World War II history – Air Force veteran Bob Alvis.
Murray pushed the drive to clean up the historic Palmdale Cemetery, and to place a flagpole at the Antelope Valley Mall.


Sgt. Patricia “Pat” Murray of Legion Post 348. This photo was taken in 2014 when she was honored as Veteran Of The Year and Woman Of The Year for 36th Assembly District by California Legislature. She is pictured with Flora Belle Reece, a Woman’s Air Service Pilot veteran who died in 2015 a couple years after receiving Congressional Gold Medal for WWII service.
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