Velma Sack, a 103-year-old U.S. Navy veteran and a resident of Tel Hai Retirement Community, was honored for her service during a program held on June 26. The event included a pinning ceremony, the presentation of a Challenge Coin and Navy Service Certificate and the awarding of a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Velma served from 1942 through 1944 as part of the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), which was a branch of the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War II. Established in 1942, its purpose was to free up male sailors for sea duty by employing women in shore-based roles. The women performed a wide range of duties, including clerical work and aviation support. Velma served in security communications as a Morse code message transcriber.   

Velma was born on June 10, 1922, and recently celebrated her 103rd birthday at Tel Hai. According to a biography prepared by Tel Hai wellness supervisor Diane Kabelo, Velma grew up in Jonesboro, Ga., a small town located near Atlanta. She joined the WAVES after graduating high school. Her job in communications included typing Morse code messages that came in from ships. She also sent messages that officers wrote.

Velma stated that it was not hard being a woman in the Navy, that she was treated well and respected and that her group was well managed.

Velma met her husband, Frank, in New York during the war when he was stationed in the same area. They were married on Feb. 14, 1945, and had 10 children, eight girls and two boys. Frank passed away in 1971.

Velma currently has 21 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, one just born a few weeks ago.

Following her Naval career, Velma worked in a plane manufacturing facility in Georgia performing inspections. Later in life, Velma moved into the Tel Hai Meadows Health Care Center.

The pinning ceremony, which honors the military service made by a veteran, was performed by Tel Hai resident Richard Toscano, a retired veteran who was a second-class petty officer in the U.S. Navy, Seabee Construction Battalion. He was honorably discharged in 1966. Currently, he does presentations at Saint Peter Catholic Church in West Brandywine on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. He is also involved with the veterans program at Tel Hai and is a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

Richard has been married to his wife, Bunny, for 58 years. They have four children and 10 grandchildren.

Also participating in the program to honor Velma was the Tel Hai Honor Guard, which presented the colors; Tel Hai chaplain David Klingensmith, who provided the invocation and welcome; and Ruthanne Morris, volunteer coordinator for Compassus, who provided Velma's biography and presented her with the Navy Service Certificate and Challenge Coin. The presentation of the citation was made by Nikki Whitlock, chief of staff for Sen. Katie Muth. Carrie Root closed the program and played "Anchors Aweigh," the Navy anthem.