Quebec 11/17/2009 11:22:25 PM
Oldest nurse in Maine honored
Major Eva M. Price, 100, is Maine’s oldest living nurse. She was honored by Janet Michaud, the VFW Women’s Commander, for her long years of service as an army nurse.
Major Eva M. Price, 100, is Maine’s oldest living nurse. She was honored by Janet Michaud, the VFW Women’s Commander, for her long years of service as an army nurse. The ceremony was held on Veteran’s eve at the University Hall of the University College of Bangor.
Price had one of the longest stints as a nurse, beginning from the World War II. She was born in 1909 in Brewer. Women of those days did not have many career options and often became a nurse. Price too, had registered herself as a nurse with the U.S. Army. She was an example that numerous women followed for generations later. In her long 20 years nursing career, Price has served soldiers who were wounded in Philippines. Later she went on to nurse soldiers wounded in the atomic catastrophe in Hiroshima. After the World War, Price served as a nurse in Korea and Germany. In the last five years as a nurse, she was at the Walter Reed Army Medical Centre in Washington D.C.
After her retirement, Price shifted base to Maine, her home town, and had been an active participant of the veteran groups. The ceremony at the University College was a joint effort by Price’s family and the Bangor Parks and Recreation Department.
VFW commander, Alfred Michaud, expressed his grief that he cannot undo the politics that prevented women nurses like Price from getting promotions unlike their male counterparts. However, it is noteworthy that inspite of this gender bias, Price is a proud veteran today.
Price, who turned 100 this January, lives in a nursing home in Bangor. Seated on a wheelchair, Price had little idea of the fuss that was going on around her. She was accompanied by her sister, Leila Pearson, and patiently sat through the entire ceremony. There were over a dozen dignitaries who recalled Price’s contribution to the military.
