Milton honors 100-year-old female veteran, pioneer on Memorial Day

MILTON, Mass. — On Memorial Day in Milton, the town honored a pioneer: a 100-year-old female veteran.

Natalie Fultz, 100, was born during World War I.

"Years ago, you appreciated your freedom," Fultz said.

On Monday, Milton showed they appreciated Fultz’s service by honoring the centenarian at the community's Memorial Day ceremony.

Related: Photos: Soldiers place flags at Arlington National Cemetery for Memorial Day

It's common, today, for women to enlist in the armed services, but it wasn't 70 years ago.

Despite the rarity, Fultz served stateside in the U.S. Navy's Waves Division in World War II before going on to serve during the Korean conflict.

"Don't go into it if you're just looking for something to do," Fultz said of young people contemplating military service. "It's not that kind of a job. You're going because you want to, and you want to give something back."

Fultz is part of a vanishing cohort.

A point driven home on Monday as Milton’s recently deceased veterans were honored – a number of them having served in wars from the 40s and 50s.

Fultz acknowledged the importance of Memorial Day, but lamented that the sacrifices made by the men and women buried here would be forgotten once the weekend was over.

So how can people do more, Fultz asked, to honor what they did? The veterans who lived long lives and the veterans who barely lived.

How can we remember them past May?

Cox Media Group