World War II Honoree

Helen M. Ferris

Hometown

Geneva, New York

Honored By

Susan J. Moran

Relationship

Daughter

In 1943, following high school graduation, she completed training for the Junior Hostess program, required for volunteers of the United Service Organizations (USO). During WWII, the USO oversaw and provided recreation/aid services for U.S. Armed Forces personnel. As a member of the Junior Hostess team, she volunteered on weekends to assist in planning and attending social events with service personnel. During the week, she worked at the PX (Post Exchange), a retail-type store located at the Sampson Naval Training Base. In January 1944, she accepted a position as a lab technician at the New York State Agricultural and Experiment Station, Geneva, New York, a division of Cornell University. She was involved with work done by the station during WWII on dehydration processes to provide food for military personnel.