By Sharon Hofstra Haugen

(Editor’s Note: As the 1960 graduates of Burien’s Highline High School celebrate their milestone birthdays, Sharon Haugen looks back at the historic time in which they were born.)

This year the Highline/Mt. Rainier Girlie Luncheon--Class of ‘60, is celebrating their 70th Birthdays.

We have included the Guys from our class this year to participate in this celebration, as the Guys from our class that attended last year's After Party, were interested in being a part of this special event...so this year it is the "Girlie/Guy Luncheon Class of ‘60 - 70th Birthday Party"!

The Highline/Mt. Rainier Class of ‘60, all entered this world in the latter part of 1941 and throughout 1942, and would be those born in the beginning of our involvement in WW11, so only naturally the theme for our luncheon this year will be the World War 11 Era, the Big Band Music and the role of women during this trying time.

Women who were supporting and contributing to the homefront, served in The OSS, at home and abroad (Offices of Strategic Services - the precursor to the CIA), the Red Cross, the USO and participated in growing Victory Gardens along with the WLA (Women's Land Army-- the civilian agriculture organization for crop growing) and selling war bonds.

Women went abroad in Europe and the Pacific, serving in the armed forces in various capacities but largely in the nursing field (Army Nurse Corp) tending to our wounded. And yes, there were women who were pilots in the WASP (Women's Air force Service Pilots), and the WAFS (Women's Air Ferrying Squadron), and the WFTD, (Women's Flight Training Department).

They served in the Navy WAVES (Women's Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service - not serving abroad) and the WACs (Women's Army Corp). The SPARS were the women's branch of the Coast Guard, and women could also join the Marines, who by all account were the least sexist, with no nicknames, just that the women were...MARINES!

Women found themselves in combat zones, doing their duties and caring for the wounded.

Mechanics, flight instructors, machinists, are just some of the jobs, "that normally done by men, were now being handled by...Women!... thus freeing up the men for their military related duties!

Over 400,000 women were in the Armed Services during WW11 and more than 460 lost their lives. In 1948 the Women's Armed Services Act was passed, allowing women to be a permanent part of the Armed Forces.

Here at home the mothers, wives, sisters, and girlfriends, sent care packages and letters to their loved ones shipped off to war, with the anxiety of not knowing if they would ever return.

Amazingly, women were now working in the factories building aircraft and other military equipment, "doing the job that men thought they couldn't do!” They were WOW (Women Ordinance Workers) and the poster girl for this came to be known as "ROSIE THE RIVETER" with her red bandana and coveralls and her right arm held up with a fist saying, "WE CAN DO IT”! and they did it, proudly and with gusto!!

And, as the Girlies of the Class of ‘60, and the product of the Women of WW11 honor our Mothers and all Women for Their Contributions to the War Effort, and our Fathers who Served Their Country, We take great pride in being the children of THE GREATEST GENERATION, like Rosie The Riveter.... THEY DID IT and a what a great job they did!

With the memories and stories of these war years told to us by THE GREATEST GENERATION, it is up to us to preserve their legacy and now we, the Class of ‘60 will continue to DO IT!!

This year’s Class of ‘60 -- 70th Birthday Party Luncheon will be held on Sept. 19th at Angelo's Restaurant in Burien at 11:30 a.m. It is open to all members of the Class of ‘60 who attended Highline High School and those who went on to Mt. Rainer mid junior year.

There will be the AFTER PARTY at 3 p.m. for those Veterans of our U.S. Military and Highline Classmates who wish to mix and mingle with The Class of ‘60! WELCOME!!! Join us to share good times!

For information and reservations contact your Girlie Classmate, Sharon Hofstra Haugen at sharon_haugen@yahoo.com and 928-201-2299. The cost is $25 per person, which includes lunch from a set menu, beverage, tax and tip and a Great time!!!