RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. -
Melia Meichelbock wrote a letter to the editor in response to an earlier USA Today article detailing trauma suffered by some female soldiers.
The military vet, who worked as a public relations specialist for Financial Partners CU in Downey, Calif. prior to joining the CCUL staff, served as a Civil Affairs Sergeant in the United States Army Reserve Special Operations Command. She received the Combat Action Badge, the Army Commendation Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for her service in Iraq.
The original article appeared on the cover of USA Today on Jan. 2. On Jan. 8, Meichelbock’s rebuttal was printed.
It stated in part: “I empathize with the women USA TODAY interviewed for the cover story “Mental toll of war hitting female service members.” But I don’t think these women represent the vast majority of female soldiers serving in Iraq. Speaking for those who have worked outside the safety of the compounds with large groups of men, I know that most women have assimilated quite well to combat.”
Meichelbock also wrote: “How about focusing on some of the positive work female soldiers have been doing in Iraq? Or all the ways female soldiers are coping successfully?”
Look for more on Meichelbock’s experiences in Iraq in the Credit Union Journal.
