Navy Vet an Inspiration to other Females
Not many people can claim to have their own day, but in 1985, September 28th was declared ‘Patricia Markor Day’ in the state of Illinois to recognize a Navy Veteran and VA employee who saved a life from an oncoming train.
For her actions, Markor was awarded a Carnegie Hero medal and a commendation from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“One day after work I was standing on the train platform at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. A train was pulling into the station when a woman stepped off the platform onto the tracks,” Markor recalls. “I ran onto the tracks and grabbed her. She fought back but I was able to hold on to her. I pulled her out of the way just as the train went by. I felt I had to do something, I just couldn't let her die.”
As the daughter of a Navy veteran who started his own newspaper company in Atkinson, Illinois, Markor wasn’t interested in going into the family business like the rest of her 13 siblings. She wanted to pursue a career in medicine which would eventually lead her to the Navy and being on the train platform that fateful day.
“My dad suggested that I go in the Navy,” said Markor. “He knew I was in a spot where I needed to get medical training. He knew the Navy would provide that for me because of what it did for him.”
After joining the Navy in 1973, she first received training as a Hospital Corpsman and then as a respiratory therapy technician, a skill set she later utilized while pursuing an RN degree. She learned quickly that women in the military face unique challenges, but she addressed adversity head-on.
“The town where I grew up was a small community of about 950 people. Then, when I went into the Navy, I got thrown in with a diverse group of women,” remembers Markor. “My first duty station was at the Naval Hospital in Long Beach, California but I ended up at MCRD [Marine Corps Recruit Depot] in San Diego. There were only five Navy females stationed there, and I was one of them.”
After leaving the Navy in 1980 and with the help of the GI Bill, Markor earned her nursing credentials, launching a fulfilling 30-year career as a registered nurse working in Illinois and Wisconsin. She found a passion for caring for the geriatric population and cherished the connections made throughout her military time and nursing experiences.
“I made a lot of great friends along the way. The military was a good learning experience,” said Markor. “It taught me to appreciate the experiences that Veterans have gone through. No matter who they are, what they do, or what they say.”
This Women Veterans Day, Marker wanted to share her admiration for the growing role of women in the armed forces and highlight the importance of taking time to recognize women Veterans.
“It's nice to be recognized,” Markor said. "We weren't allowed to fill a lot of different roles back then. I'm glad that female Veterans are more prevalent and have a larger role in the military now.”
These days, Markor’s daughter, Kelly, often accompanies her to appointments and lends a helping hand in running errands. Their bond is unbreakable, and it was Kelly who escorted Markor on her Badger Honor Flight to Washington DC.
"I am proud to be a Veteran,” said Markor. “It was very nostalgic."
As Markor continues her journey as a Madison VA patient, her resilience, dedication, and love for her fellow Veterans remain unwavering. She has faced her share of health challenges, but has found solace and support in the care provided by the VA.
Today, we salute Patricia Markor—a Veteran, a nurse, and an inspiration.
For more information on our health services, visit Women Veteran Care. For more information about the Madison VA Hospital, visit www.madison.va.gov, www.facebook.com/MadisonVAHospital and subscribe to our newsletters.