102-year-old WWII veteran honored

SACRAMENTO - Gov. Jerry Brown met with 102-year-old WWII veteran Bea Cohen Tuesday at the State Capitol as part of celebrations honoring Women's Military History Week.Cohen is believed to be the oldest living female WWII veteran in California and one of the oldest in the country. A native of Buhush, Romania, Cohen witnessed the start of World War I before immigrating to the United States as a child. When the second World War started, Cohen produced munitions and war supplies at the Douglas Aircraft Company in Los Angeles before enlisting in the U.S. Army. As a Private First Class, she was assigned to Elveden, England, where she worked in top-secret communications. Today, Cohen lives in Los Angeles and still attends meetings at the West Los Angeles Veterans Home. Earlier Tuesday, Cohen was the guest of honor at a state reception honoring all female veterans and military personnel, where she was recognized by the California Department of Veterans Affairs, the Governor's Office and the state Assembly.

********** Published: March 22, 2012 - Volume 10 - Issue 49