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Description

Oral history interview of Virginia Edwards. Interview conducted by Karen Kelly at the veteran's home in Orlando, Florida on July 18, 2017.

Log

0:01 Introduction; 0:33 Biographical information; 1:00 Family in the military, influences to enlist; 2:14 Basic training, average day; 3:17 Drill sergeants and adapting to military life; 4:03 Life in the Air Force, her duties; 4:53 Advanced training as air operations specialist; 5:18 Difference between basic training and first assignment; 5:53 Navigation training in Hawaii; 6:35 Time in Hawaii, getting matching tattoos with other women; 7:57 First women to receive navigation training, shunned by male counterparts; 8:43 Relationship between men and women in the Air Force; 10:00 MATS (Military Air Transport); 10:24 Work as a weather specialist and talking with the wives of AF pilots; 11:22 Relationship with pilots; 12:05 Flying a lot and traveling; 14:00 Entertainment on bases; 15:18 Freedom in the Air Force; 16:14 Relationships with other women in the Air Force; 17:15 Changes in the Air Force for women; 18:00 Leaving the military, becoming a massage therapist; 19:37 Deciding to leave the military; 20:00 Transition to civilian life; 21:12 Working in Miami; 22:52 Effect of military experience on civilian life; 23:54 Thoughts on experience in the military; 25:40 Being young and single in the military; 27:07 Differences between the Air Force and other branches; 29:10 Thoughts on the Cold War at the time; 30:15 Working for entertainer, Kay Stevens, meeting other entertainers; 34:00 Work as a massage therapist; 34:50 Having a baby and giving her up for adoption; 37:07 Joining a church led by Benny Hinn and moving to Orlando; 39:07 Conclusion.

Date of Birth

1938-05-04

Place of Birth

Providence (R.I.)

Gender

Female

Race

Unknown

Home State

Rhode Island

War or Conflict

Cold War Era

Status

Veteran

Begin/End date of Service - 1st

1956-07-07

Type

Video; MovingImage

1958-07-07

Entrance into Service

Enlisted

Branch of Service

U.S. Air Force

Unit of Service

MATS Unit (Military Air Transport)

Location of Service

Travis (Tex.); Biloxi (Miss.); Valeho (Calif.); Hawaii

Highest Rank

Airman First Class; A1C

Prisoner of War

No

Service Related Injury

No

Battles

None

Medals

None

Achievements

Was a Weather Specialist, Air Operations Specialist.

Note

Not applicable

City of Birth

Providence

Country of Birth

United States

Interviewer

Karen, Kelly

Interview Date

Summer 7-18-2017

Location of Interview

Orlando, FL.

Subjects

Edwards, Virginia; Cold War -- Personal Narratives; Women and the military -- United States; United States. Air Force

Collection Description

Contains logs, audio and video recordings of interviews with Central Florida's veterans as part of a history class project for the students at the University of Central Florida (UCF). The UCF Community Veterans History Project(CVHP) started in fall 2010. It collects, preserves, and makes accessible to the public the experiences of Central Florida's veterans so that future generations will better understand the realities of conflict. It is a collaborative endeavor supported by multiple departments and offices at UCF. The veterans' histories are archived and made digitally available through the UCF library and selected materials are contributed to the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress.

Contributor Affiliation / Organization

RICHES; University of Central Florida

Contributors

Karen, Kelly

Length of Interview

40 Minutes

Publisher

Department of History, University of Central Florida

Type

video

Rights

All rights are held by the respective holding institution. This material is posted publicly for non-profit educational uses, excluding printed publication. For permission to reproduce and/or for copyright information contact Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, (407) 823-2576. http://library.ucf.edu/about/departments/special-collections-university-archives/

Repository

University of Central Florida Libraries, Special Collections & University Archives

Contributing Project

UCF Community Veterans History Project

Document Type

Interview

Semester

Summer

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