My ancestor, David Chamberlain, served in George Washington’s army. I wanted to honor his service and that of my grandfathers, who served during World War I, and my father, who was a B-25 bomber pilot during World War II.

I was inspired by a neighbor – Elizabeth Smith, who served as an Army nurse in the South Pacific – to become a nurse and serve in the Army. I realized my childhood dream in 1981 with a direct commission as a captain in the Army Reserve.
I served faithfully for 35 years, attaining the rank of major general.

I was the first Army nurse to serve as commanding general of a medical brigade and also the first nurse to serve as deputy surgeon general for the Army Reserve. I am now president-elect of the Reserve Organization of America.

I followed in my paternal grandfather’s footsteps by becoming a life member of The American Legion; Grover Cleveland Chamberlain was a charter member of Post 198 in Kenton, Ohio, joining in 1919.

Peggy Chamberlain Wilmoth, American Legion Post 6, Chapel Hill, N.C.