Eleanor Sargeant

Before she dies, Eleanor Sargent wants to see herself and tens of thousands of other women who served in the Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II be recognized as veterans. Sargent said she doesn't want compensation or benefits — she just wants her group to be recognized for the history books. "Already people don't know who the cadet nurses are," she said. "We don't want to be forgotten."

Sargent served from 1943-46 at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine. She said the experience was invaluable, as she went on to work a variety of jobs in the nursing field. She traveled across the country as an anesthesiologist, working in Georgia, California, and Alaska, among other places. She also worked in El Salvador with the Feed the Children missionary medical team.

At 84, Sargent is one of the youngest living women to have served in the nurse corps. Others are 100 and older — which is why Sargent wishes lawmakers would fast-track one of the bills that would grant them veteran status."There aren't too many of us left," she said.  Read more