Patriot Guard Proudly Serves At Funeral For Female World War II Vet
IRVING (CBSDFW.COM) - Barbara Rose Cooling Halsey was buried in Irving Monday.
Her name may not be familiar, but nearly seventy years ago she was among the WAVES of the United States Navy, women who were accepted for volunteer military service. A special honor guard paid tribute to that service at her funeral.
None of the Patriot Guard Riders knew Barbara Halsey until a few hours before she died Friday. The Patriot Guard Riders are an informal group of motorcyclists who support veterans' family members at funerals. Normally that veteran is a man, but not always.
In this case the 91-year-old great-grandmother had her own 'Greatest Generation' story to tell. She was active military with the United States Navy during World War II as a pharmacist's mate. Though she served in Chicago, she served with honor.
"They don't necessarily have to have been in a combat or have a combat role," says Darl Easton, who served Ride Captain for the funeral mission, "We just want to honor them for their service to our country."
Halsey's son says she grew up in a family that felt a need to serve. "I guess she felt the most dutiful thing to do in 1942 was to join the service," Jonathan Halsey told CBS 11. "I'm sure she felt duty-bound and a certain commitment to serve her country."
Barbara Halsey finished her active service more than 60-years ago. But she met her future husband, Jonathan H. Halsey, while enlisted. They raised a family of seven and even watched some of their own children go off to serve. He preceded her in death; they were married 49-years.
���I didn't know until Friday that his mother was a veteran," Jon Halsey's supervisor, Ricky Richison, said, but he quickly helped put the team together.
"I was going to be here regardless, but to bring my fellow Patriot Guard Riders out here to pay tribute to a woman from World War II, or any woman in the military for that matter, for a total stranger or a very good friend like Jon, is an honor."
