Mission Viejo Chapter celebrated the 100th Birthday of one of our own chapter members. Betty Ruth Gajdos was a World War II Navy Veteran. She enlisted November 22, 1943. Betty volunteered to become a WAVE and she was on the first ship to dock on Ford Island, Oahu. Her job was to salvage parts from aircraft damaged during battles. Every little screw and nut were removed, steam-cleaned, bagged, and labeled from what part of the aircraft the parts came. The parts were then shipped to the States where sailors learned how to work on airplanes.

Betty was discharged on October 22, 1945, and she received an Honorable Discharge and was decorated with the American Campaign Medal and WWII Victory Medal. She joined DAR on February 5, 2005 with the Aliso Canyon Chapter and served as registrar and 2nd Vice Regent. The Aliso Canyon Chapter later merged with the Mission Viejo Chapter.

The chapter celebrated Betty’s birthday with a classic car parade rally, reading certificates from the California State Society, and the VFW raised a flag in her honor. Thank you Betty Gajdos for your service.