World War II Honoree

Joan Ayers Bertz

Hometown

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Honored By

Charlotte M. Ayers

Relationship

Sister

SHE, AT A YOUNG AGE, ALONG WITH HER SISTER, BROTHERS AND OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS, FORMED THE JUNIOR 32ND DIVISION ARMY. SHE WAS A NURSE IN THE EAST 9TH STREET ARMY; NEILLSVILLE, WISCONSIN. COLLECTED SCRAP METAL, MARCHED IN PARADES, BOUGHT WAR BOND STAMPS AT SCHOOL, AND MADE SMALL VICTORY GARDENS. WAS A GIRL SCOUT AND MADE LAP-ROBES FOR WOUNDED IN HOSPITALS, CUTTING LARGE BLANKETS INTO SQUARES AND STITCHING BUTTON-HOLE STITCHES AROUND THE EDGES IN CONTRASTING THREAD. HELPED THE RED CROSS AT HOSPITAL BY PULLING PIECES FROM COTTON BATTING AND MAKING THEM INTO COTTON BALLS TO USE FOR SWABBING; ROLLED TORN STRIPS OF WHITE SHEETS INTO ROLLS OF BANDAGES. WROTE TO HER DAD OFTEN WHILE HE WAS AWAY FROM HOME SERVING IN THE WAR.