Article by Gwen Jones, Department of Family Services
(Posted 2022 November)
Every year, on November 11, we celebrate Veterans Day and thank veterans in our community for their service to our country. Mary Ann McKenzie, who is 99 years old, served in the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve during World War II. Like all veterans, her story of service is unique and significant.
Mary Ann McKenzie was born in central Pennsylvania in 1923. After graduating from high school in 1940, she moved to Maryland to live with an aunt and uncle to work and attend evening classes at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Mary Ann recalls that tuition at that time was $6/credit hour, a far cry from GW’s current tuition.
In December 1941, the United States entered World War II following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. Mary Ann recalls being swept up in a groundswell of patriotism and a desire to help the war effort. Her wish to serve was also fueled by the newsreels shown at movie theaters before the main feature. Seeing the terrible devastation and suffering caused by the war motivated her to do what she could to help end it.
In March 1943, Mary Ann enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve. The Reserve was created in February 1943 to release male marines for combat duty by replacing them with women in U.S. shore stations for the duration of the war. Mary Ann hadn’t originally planned to sign up for the Marine Corps. When she went to the recruiting station, she intended to join the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), the United States Naval Women’s Reserve, but an enthusiastic recruiter convinced her to join the Marine Corps instead. Women Marine Corps enlistees had to meet stringent requirements – United States citizenship; 20-35 years old; not married to a Marine; single or married but with no children under 18; height not less than 60 inches; weight not less than 95 pounds; good vision and teeth; and at least two years of high school.
In August 1943, Mary Ann was sent to boot camp for six weeks at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC, the largest Marine training base on the East Coast. After completing her training, she was assigned to live at Henderson Hall barracks in Arlington, VA, and work at U.S. Marine Headquarters for the duration of the war. Mary Ann worked as a secretary in the commandant’s office completing typical office work – typing, filing, etc. She recalls that she was always busy, never bored. Unlike civilians, whose grocery purchases were rationed during the war, Mary Ann and her fellow marines were always well-fed. However, her fondest memories are of the women she lived and worked alongside. In the loud and bustling barracks and busy offices, she made many lifelong friends, keeping in touch long after their service ended.
Mary Ann vividly remembers V-E Day (May 8, 1945), the day the war in Europe finally ended. “It was a great feeling,” she says. Despite the celebrations taking place, she faithfully showed up for her piano lesson, to the great surprise of her piano teacher. Three months later, the war in the Pacific ended with Japan’s surrender on August 14, 1945. Mary Ann had enough points to be discharged, ending her service with the rank of staff sergeant, earning $75/month for her service. While extremely proud to have been a Marine, Mary Ann was happy to return to civilian life, saying “I was glad to get out of the service. It was too regimented for me. They tell you when to get up, when to sleep, when to eat.”
After the war, Mary Ann met her future husband, a career Navy man, and they married in 1949. A few years later, he retired from the Navy to pursue a career in real estate while Mary Ann worked as a stay-at-home mom, raising the couple’s two sons. In 1957, the family purchased their home in McLean. Mary Ann recalls that at that time Tysons Corner was largely undeveloped, with only a single gas station at the intersection of Routes 123 and 7.
When Mary Ann’s younger son entered the fifth grade, she returned to the workforce, working as an administrative assistant. Mary Ann and her husband divorced in 1976, and she eventually retired in 1988 from Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).
Retirement for Mary Ann has been a time to explore new interests and devote her time to her true passions. She developed a love of square dancing after taking introductory lessons through the organization Parents without Partners. For 30 years, Mary Ann was an avid square dancer, only stopping when she was no longer able to participate due to decreased mobility. She also devoted many hours to gardening, a lifelong passion. She credits much of her gardening success to her over 60 years as a member of the Falls Church Garden Club.
Mary Ann also indulged her love of travel, something that began when her boys were young. The family often took long trips in their motor home, including two cross country trips to the West Coast, a trip through Canada, and a trip to Key West, FL. Her later travel included everything from one-day bus tours offered by Fairfax County to longer vacations to destinations around the world. She has gone on eleven Elderhostel trips, joined several tours organized by the McLean Community Center, and sailed on a cruise from Alaska. She has also toured Australia, New Zealand, and several European countries. Many of these trips included visits with her younger son, who once lived in London and now resides in New Zealand.
Volunteering was a favorite activity of Mary Ann once she retired. When McLean’s AARP group was in existence, she served for 10 years as Recording Secretary. Twenty years ago, she concluded 10 years of preparing the evening meal for residents of the Bailey’s Crossroads Shelter one day each week. The preparation and cooking took place in her church’s kitchen with the aid of one helper.
Mary Ann also became an active member of Lewinsville Senior Center, participating in square dancing, fitness classes and computer classes. For 10 years, she served as president of their advisory council and was invited to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of their new facility. During her visits, she especially enjoyed the computer classes. As she became more proficient, she discovered that the computer could be a useful tool in her daily life.
In 2019, Mary Ann participated in an oral history interview for The Library of Congress Veterans History Project. The interview was conducted by Jackie Rich, who at that time taught the computer classes at Lewinsville and other senior centers. A DVD of Mary Ann’s interview is now part of the archive.
For 30 years, Mary Ann has belonged to the Women Marines Association, an organization created to help foster camaraderie among those who served. She has been able to attend four of the biannual conventions over the years and has attended many of the meetings, once held in-person but now held virtually.
Mary Ann will celebrate her 100th birthday in February. She still lives in the home her family purchased in 1957 and has witnessed the rapid development of Fairfax County, especially Tysons Corner. Although she is not as active as she once was, she continues to do what she loves – working in her garden, baking (especially sweets), and tuning into cooking shows. Mary Ann uses her computer to stay connected, attending garden club meetings virtually and using Facebook to keep in touch with friends and family. Her older son lives locally with his family and visits often. Mary Ann also keeps up with her younger son, despite the miles that separate them. She calls him her “computer guru” and turns to him when she needs technology advice. Mary Ann also has a granddaughter in this area; and two grandsons, one granddaughter and a great granddaughter in New Zealand.
Mary Ann McKenzie is proud to have been one of the first women to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. In addition to their exemplary service, she and her fellow enlistees also helped pave the way for greater acceptance of women within the Marine Corps and other branches of the armed services.
The Golden Gazette thanks Mary Ann McKenzie and all the Veterans in Fairfax County for their service to our country.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).