On July 16th, Legislator Fleming joined the family of Marine Sgt. Evelyn Kandel in recognition of her military service to the country and being one of the first women to enlist in the Marines during the 1950s, paving the way for women to be integral members of the military in the future.
Honor Flight Long Island honors veterans on Long Island who served in the U.S. Military. This year, they honored the contributions of Evelyn Kandel. As a Marine, Kandel served proudly during the Korean War. Her work also included posing for photos that served as promotional materials for the Women’s Marine Corps, such as an ad displayed in Manhattan’s Times Square. She also made an appearance on television commercials, helping the Marines to recruit and enlist talented women.
In recognition of women’s role in the military, a commemorative stamp was created by the U.S. Postal Service entitled "Women in Our Armed Services," featuring Kandel among three other military women. The stamp is still available for purchase today. Kandel attended Columbia University on the GI bill, eventually allowing her to follow her dreams in becoming a poet and painter. She then settled down and raised a family, having three children of her own. Her work has created a legacy for future women to take part in military service.
At the event, Leg. Fleming remarked “It is an honor to be here with such a decorated trailblazer like Evelyn who is a leader and inspiration for so many women and girls who may recognize a future in the military.”
Featured (from L-R): Marine Sgt. Evelyn Kandel , Kandel’s daughter, and Legislator Bridget Fleming