This month, the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN deployed with the first female commander in charge of an aircraft carrier in history, Capt. Amy Capt. Bauernschmidt. I had a personal connection to this event from my Navy career dating back to 1995. I recently wrote a related story for the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA) Untold Stories anthology, which starts:

“The term ‘pioneer’ conjures up images of early settlers venturing out West taking risks for new beginnings. I never saw myself as a pioneer but found myself among a group of pioneers as one of the first women to deploy on a combat aircraft carrier.”

The story ends with a salute to Capt. Bauernschmidt, and those who follow her, for continuing the adventure and pioneering more new beginnings.

I thank MWSA for providing the opportunity to tell my story in this book at this time in history. Untold Stories includes stories ranging from the Revolutionary War to a story put in a time capsule to be opened in 2112. Veterans of all services and family members contributed poetry, fiction, and non-fiction including works from award-winning writers Tom Beard, Jim Greenwald, Robin Hutton, Kathleen M. Rodgers, Jim Tritten, and Jerry Burton, to name a few.

I wish Capt. Bauernschmidt and her crew fair winds and following seas and hope they create their own fond memories and one day share their stories.