By Paul Blayney

Voltaire once said, "I know of no great person, except those who have rendered great service..." I would like to share a unique and rarely told story of service...one that has particular meaning today.

Rear Admiral Blayley at Cle Elum Cemetery – Official U.S. Coast Guard Photo

You have heard, about the story of Douglas Munro, and his heroism during the invasion of Guadalcanal His final sacrifice, while saving the lives of 600 Marines, earned him the Medal of Honor, but it has done far more for the Coast Guard as a whole His name and legend reach far beyond Cle Elum where he is buried His story is taught to Coast Guard recruits within hours of their swearing in Douglas Munro's is the only statue in Coast Guard Headquarters Similar works are also located at the Coast Guard Academy and Cape May, and on the Seattle waterfront. Douglas Munro stands for all that we are in the Coast Guard. He represents our core values of honor, respect and especially devotion to duty The Douglas Munro legacy is an enormous part of our spirit and tradition, but it's not the whole story The Munro family carries on its service to the Coast Guard One person in particular was Douglas Munro's mother, Mrs. Edith Munro is buried right next to her son

Mrs. Munro will always be remembered for raising one of the Coast Guard and Marine Corp’s greatest heroes...but few people know that Mrs. Munro was also LT Munro, of the U.S. Coast Guard Women's Corps - also known as Spar's

Shortly after her only son's death, Mrs. Munro decided that she would do what she could to carry on his life of service that her son's death had cut short Within weeks, Mrs. Munro signed up, and she was sent to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy for officer candidate training She was one of the first Spar's to ever show up, in New London, Connecticut and she was also the oldest. Most new Spar's were in their late teens and early 20's...Edith Munro was in her mid-forties.

Spar training was not very well thought out in those days In fact it had moved three times before finally being located at the Academy – all in the course of a year or so The curriculum was just as disjointed. While Spar's were intended to backfill administrative positions, so that the men could go to sea, there was no training program for that. Instead, for lack of a better idea, they were instructed in knot tying, military drill, seamanship and small boat operations. Edith Munro's daughter, Pat Sheehan is recalled her mother's first letter, It simply stated, "Pat this would kill you, and it might kill me."

The Spar's had no uniforms at first, so they were issued large hats to wear with their

civilian clothes. They wore the hats everywhere including all small boat operations.

Mrs. Munro, weighed in at barely 90 lbs, but managed to row up and down the Thames

River like a seasoned veteran According to her grandson, retired Coast Guard

Commander Doug Sheehan, “the pictures of those women rowing crews in their floppy

hats are worth more than a thousand words.”

Because of, or maybe in spite of, that six-week training period at the Coast Guard Academy, Mrs. Munro was commissioned as a LTJG in the Coast Guard Spar's. In actuality she had been commissioned before the program started, but wouldn't accept any special recognition or favors. She insisted on going through the entire training program like all of the other recruits. By all accounts, she didn't need any special considerations...she led the way.

Her first assignment was on the staff of the Commandant as a Public Relations Officer. She toured the country telling the Coast Guard story, and that of her son. After about six months, she asked for a transfer She wanted to do more...she wanted to make a direct contribution.

In 1943, the Commandant assigned her to the 13th District, as Commanding Officer of the Base Seattle Barracks. There she really made her mark. Referred to as "The Old Lady," she was much more than just the CO...she was a teacher, mentor, and mother to a gaggle of wartime recruits. Lt Munro's new job was not nearly as visible or glamorous as public relations, but it was exactly what Edith was looking for.

LT Munro established a name for herself almost immediately. She separated male and female accommodations in the barracks and established new regulations to smooth the transition of women into the Coast Guard ranks. She streamlined administrative processes, adjusted galley menus for better nutrition, and made appropriate uniform changes to better compliment a diverse workforce. LT Munro was the first woman to ever attend 13th District staff meetings as a member of the staff. Old misplaced feelings of gender superiority flew out the door, as she became a valued and trusted advisor to Rear Admiral Frederick Zeusler. Because she was such an involved and caring leader, she really got to the pulse of the Thirteenth District workforce - men and women alike. She gave the Admiral a new perspective and greatly increased his knowledge, awareness and appreciation for diversity. LT Munro was one of the Coast Guard's first gender policy advisors. Edith Munro was way ahead of her time, and Admiral Zeusler knew and respected that. At the conclusion of World War II when sailors returned, and Spar's moved back home, LT Munro received a commendation medal. As those of you familiar with that era know, individual medals for non-combat service were exceedingly rare. LT Edith Munro had truly done something special.

Edith Munro's dedication to the Coast Guard, and to America continued for the next 50 years...long after her days with the Spars. She attended literally thousands of events and ceremonies, and was an active Coast Guard supporter to the end. In fact, she was the honored guest at the 50-year commemoration of Guadalcanal - Just a year before her death.

Like her son, Edith Munro embodied the Coast Guard's core values of honor, respect and devotion to duty, long before we ever put those words to paper. She did what needed to be done. Mrs. Edith Munro lived a life of service and sacrifice! Remembering what people like Edith Munro, Douglas Munro, Mike Cooley, and all the others buried here did, is only part of our responsibility. We must also remember how and why these heroes did what they accomplished.

RADM Paul Blayney, USCG is the 13TH District Commander. These are a portion of his remarks at the Douglas Munro Memorial and Flag Pole Dedication conducted at the Cle Elem, Washington, 27 September 1999 partially edited for the purpose of telling this story in a written context.

Official U.S. Coast Guard Photo