'It's a rarity': Two female veterans leading local American Legion posts

Two female veterans are leading American Legion posts in Monroe County.

Angela Jaworski is the commander of American Legion Post 268 in Milan. Kathy Musick is the commander of James E. Yenor Post 193, American Legion in Luna Pier.

"To have two female commanders from the same district, that’s unusual,” Jaworski said.

“It’s a rarity,” Musick said. “I’ve seen some women commanders at the state level; a handful, maybe five or six. It’s definitely a serious minority.”

The American Legion is a national organization that began in 1919. Veterans from all branches of the military can join.

Jaworski, a 10-year member of the Milan post, was elected commander in May and hopes to run for reelection.

“I’d be happy to keep the position. I’m the first female commander since it was established 100 years ago. I won the election over the commander we had,” she said.

Her post has 135 members and about 10 are women. Jaworski also was the post’s first female adjutant.

Musick, a member of the American Legion for about four years, was elected commander of the Luna Pier post in March. She beat another another candidate in the election.

Her post has 30 members. She’s the only woman.

Goals

One of Jaworski's goals as Milan's commander is to recruit more female veterans. That’s also a district goal.

“We are definitely trying to get women involved. There are not a lot of female veterans in American Legion posts,” she said. “I want to make sure they are included."

She also wants to increase membership overall.

“We are hoping for 100 percent enrollment. We haven’t had that since 2019. We are at 85 to 90 percent. I’m pushing really hard to get the post back up to 100 percent strength," she said.

Jaworski's other goal is to help veterans understand what benefits and support are available to them.

“I love to get the word out. At the post, we have different officers to help with VA, claims, benefits; our financial officer has a tech company. We want to make sure everyone knows," she said.

She also implemented Buddy Calls.

"Once a month, I call everyone on roster to see if they are OK and if they need anything from the VA," she said.

Musick’s main goal as Luna Pier commander is continuing a revitalizing effort that was started by the Legion's Second District.

“After COVID, a lot of posts are struggling. A lot even closed down," she said.

Musick, an area substitute teacher, ran for commander because she wanted to make the post stronger. Located on Harold Drive, the post also has a Sons of the American Legion group and an Auxiliary.

“Previously there weren’t monthly meetings. I went to a meeting and decided to throw in my hat. My first position was adjutant, an effort to make sure things are done right. I ran (for commander) as a matter of concern for the post. I started getting more and more involved," she said.

Like Jaworski, Musick also wants to help veterans understand their benefits.

“This country does give back to those who serve. Join an American Legion. That helps people a lot to see what they’re qualified for. There is a more information that what you think there is," she said.

Angela Jaworski

Jaworski’s father had served in the military and hoped his daughter would follow.

“He sent recruiters to school to talk to me,” she recalled. “He was very into his daughter being in the military. We lost him in 2018. I really wish he would have seen me at this American Legion. I know he’d have been very proud."

Jaworski enlisted in the Army while attending Simon Kenton High School in Kentucky. She served from 1988-98.

“I left for basic four days after graduation. There were 18 women in basic training," Jaworski said.

She worked in warehouse supply and was stationed in Ohio.

“I supplied parts that were needed. I signed-out equipment to soldiers for different things," she said.

Jaworski came to Monroe County about 20 years ago. She owns her own business and also works at the Legion. She joined the American Legion about 14 years ago in Detroit, after helping the Michigan Military Moms pack care packages for soldiers overseas.

Kathy Musick

Musick served in the Army from 1977-80, after graduating from Garden City High School.

“My best friend thought it was a great idea for us. She backed out. I went through basic with all women. About 10 to 15 percent (of the soldiers) were women," Musick said.

She served in South Carolina, Oklahoma and Germany and was trained in weapon support radar.

Later, she did some related work at places Radio Shack, but she went to art school.

Musick comes from a military family. Her dad served in the Army after World War II. Her brother served in the Navy. Her family was supportive of her enlistment.

“They thought it was great. My dad was really excited. We have several months before I signed-up in December and when I left in May. For those months, we were closer than we ever were,” Musick said.

She said she was respected by the male soldiers.

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“There was mutual respect and no problem. It depends of your attitude. I wasn’t one of those people who was only after what the military could do for me. I was proud to serve. I'm still very supportive of veterans," she said.

Musick joined a 40 & 8 organization about nine years ago. Then, she moved to Luna Pier and joined the American Legion.

She encourages veterans to join organizations like the American Legion, which offer support.

“When they serve and how, it affects them. People have trauma. Veterans who served at war time have trauma. There's mental trauma. It's hard readjusting to civilian society. People who served in times like the Vietnam War are having financial problems. We can help out there," Musick said. "We’re there for them."

Contact Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Two female veterans leading local American Legion posts