WWII VETERAN IS HONORED ON HER 100TH BIRTHDAY
At Betsy Rimby’s command, “Present arms,” a cadre of Berks County women veterans snapped to attention and saluted a revered comrade-in-arms at Phoebe Berks retirement community in Wernersville.
Dollie Bossler, who served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, returned the salute from her wheelchair outside the entrance to Phoebe’s Health Center.
The tender moment of one generation of women veterans honoring another who served in World War II was a highlight of Dollie’s 100th birthday, which was April 19.
“She paved the way for us,” declared Rimby, who served in the Marine Corps from 1976 to 1979. “Because of Dollie and other women like her, we were able to get in the service years later.”
A Yeoman First Class, Dollie served three years in the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve, or SPARS, and was honorably discharged on May 25, 1946.
Escorted by her daughter, Connie Skipper, Dollie had on the blue service cap she wore during World War II and waved a small American flag.
Amid shouts of “Dollie, you’re amazing” and “We are your sisters, Dollie,” a delegation from the Women Veterans of Berks County led the assembly in singing “Happy Birthday.”
“When one of our own turns 100, it’s a special event,” said Judy Hoffmeister, group commander.
Etta Henry of Cumru Township is vice commander.
“This lady served her country,” said Henry, an Army nurse who treated wounded Vietnam veterans at Valley Forge Army Hospital. “We need to stand up for women who served their country.”
Surrounded by redwhite-and-blue balloons and posters with the Coast Guard emblem, Dollie was showered with gifts.
She beamed with pride when presented with commendations from State Sen. Judy Schwank and U.S. Senator Pat Toomey.
Phoebe Berks gave her a bouquet of sunflowers. Granddaughter Elena Pagels of Chicago sent flowers. So did granddaughter Erika Alba from California.
Dollie’s eyes brightened as her daughter played the Coast Guard song, “Semper Paratus,” on her cellphone. The women veterans joined in singing the anthem.
Dollie praised her women
comrades after receiving a window sticker emblazoned with the Coast Guard seal, crossed anchors superimposed on a life ring.
“I’m proud of you,” she declared.
As a surprise gift, Skipper gave her mother a book entitled “Dollie Bossler: My Life in Pictures.” Dollie had been working on it since she suffered a stroke in 2017, but did not know it had been finished by her daughter.
A chapter on her military service recounts her decision to join the Coast Guard.
“When my dear brother Vernon joined,” she wrote, “I said that’s the end, I’m in.”
It took several tries, but perseverance paid off. A young woman of 21 imbued with an adventurous spirit, she embarked on a memorable journey at a critical juncture in the nation’s history. She spent the war years at a Coast Guard installation in Cleveland.
“I enjoyed serving my country, and I was happy I could help,” she wrote. “The fact that I had brothers in the military made it easy and meaningful.”
In recent years, Dollie has become a celebrity of sorts.
In 2019, the Reading Fightin Phils honored her during a ballgame at FirstEnergy Stadium. That same year, a team of women journalists from Washington interviewed her and sent a copy to the Library of Congress. She was also the guest of honor for Dollie Day at the Berks Military History Museum in 2018.
In a memorable moment, Dollie was introduced to Tammy Barlet of Hamburg, who served in the Coast Guard from 1995 to 2003. Though they served 50 years apart, the two women shared a bond that transcends time.
“Women like Dollie pushed the doors open for people like myself to serve,” said Barlet, 43, associate director of legislative service for the VFW in Washington.
During a 40-minute tribute, Dollie smiled appreciatively and occasionally demonstrated her trademark wit.
Then, toward the end, her demeanor turned serious.
“Thank you so much,” she said to her women comrades. “I love you all.”
When the hoopla subsided, Dollie was asked for her thoughts as she looked back on her service during World War II. Instead of looking back, she looked ahead.
She hoped the time would never come when the nation would again see a world war, but insisted the country must stand ready.
“We must always be ‘Semper Paratus,’” she declared, citing the Coast Guard motto, which means Always Ready.