Unveiling of WWII Veteran Corporal Shirley Maxine Aho's Uniform on Women Veterans Recognition Day

The event will take place in the main lobby of the hospital located at 2121 North Avenue on June 12, 2024, at 2:00 PM. This poignant tribute aims to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of women veterans like Corporal Aho, whose service and legacy have paved the way for future generations.

Born on January 22, 1925, in Denver, Colorado, Shirley Maxine Aho graduated from North High School in 1942. At the age of 20, she enlisted in the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve on April 15, 1945, and completed her boot camp training in San Diego, California. Corporal Aho served diligently in California during the final year of World War II, working in the telephone office to support military communications and logistics. Her honorable discharge on May 15, 1946, marked the end of a chapter she often referred to as the best year of her life.

Shirley's wartime experience extended beyond her official duties. It was during this period that she met her future husband, Arthur Rohlik, an Army soldier. Their story began at a dance organized to boost soldiers’ morale and blossomed into a lifelong partnership that included raising four children. Post-war, Shirley continued to make significant contributions to her community, earning a degree in Horticulture and later moving to Grand Junction, Colorado, where she lived with her daughter Marian until her passing in May 2019 at the age of 93.

The VA Western Colorado Health Care System invites the public to join in commemorating Corporal Aho’s service and the broader legacy of women veterans. Her uniform will be displayed as a testament to the courage, dedication, and impact of women who have served in the military. This event is not only a celebration of Shirley’s life and service but also a recognition of the millions of women veterans who have bravely served our country.

For more information about the event, please contact:

VA Western Colorado Health Care System

Stephanie McAntee
Stephanie.McAntee@va.gov
970-793-7718

Or

Braydon Gear
Braydon.Gear@va.gov
970-914-2410

Stephanie McAntee, Director of Communications and Community Development

Phone:

Braydon Gear, Outreach Coordinator

Phone: