#VeteranOfTheDay Navy Veteran Velma Hughes

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is U.S. Navy Veteran Velma Hughes. Velma served during World War II.

Velma was born in November 1917. She grew up on a cotton farm in Throckmorton, Texas and enlisted in the Navy during World War II. Velma participated in the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service program (WAVES), one of the first programs to allow women to serve in the Navy. She was stationed at Rod Field in Corpus Christi, Texas and was honorably discharged in 1945.

Velma married her husband of 65 years in 1942, with whom she had three children. After her military career, she and her husband lived in the Texas panhandle and Anchorage, Alaska. Velma enjoyed sewing, cooking and fishing.

Velma passed away on Aug. 24, 2017 at the age of 99 in Amarillo, Texas. She had three children, seven grandchildren and many great- and great-great-grandchildren.

We honor your service, Velma.

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? You’re in luck! VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Graphic By Lilian Vo: Lilian Vo is an undergraduate senior at George Mason University studying Global Affairs and Intelligence Analysis.