The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-11-18

New York, N. Y, Nov. 18-On Mo- vember '23rd, some $500 STARS and lCoast Guardsmen released by STARS for combat duty around the world will take time to salute the first anniversary of the founding of their Women's Reserve.
 STARS are now serving in every District in the country; and virtu- ally every branch of the Coast Guard. Hard bitten sea-faring Coast Guard officers and men who at first looked with some concern at wo- men in the Coast Guard blue nave come to accept the STARS as strictly salty girls who do real job ashore like veterans
 At the Third Naval District Coast Guard Headquarters in New York several hundred STARS are already on duty. Many of them are seeing New York for the first time. The thrill of working as STARS in the great metropolis has been an excit- ing experience for practically all the girls.
 Nearly every state in the country is represented at the SPAR "bar- racks" on upper Broadway where the girls are quarted. Actually the barracks is the Hotel Embassy which the Coast Guard has taken over for the STARS. But the hotel is a real ship to these salty girls. Their rooms are "cabins", the floors are decks" and everything must be squared away and ship shape" at al. times.
 The STARS have more than am pie recreational facilities in New York. In addition to the entertain ment area nearby the STARS have organized their own glee club, bas- ketball and bowling teams. Dances and teas are sponsored by the Coast Guard and other organizations. New York has become accustomed to the girls in blue, and no longer looks upon the STARS as subject of curiosity.
 By day the SPAR is a different person. Whereas a year ago she was civilian doing civilian job, today she finds herself vital cog in the winning of the war. She may be an aide to a Commander or operate a teletype machine, or supervise i'm portant supply and accounts.
 Her shipmates may be assigned to vital, secret operations unit or cod ing confidential messages. Still others are dental assistants, operate ship service stores, or act as welfare aides, helping to solve the, human problems for Coast Guardsmen who serve on ships and transports a. round the world.
 The average SPAR will admit that life in the Coast Guard has been different than she expected. But all are more enthusiastic about the ser vice now than when they enlisted or even when they completed their basic training. Some have been a6- vanced two or three ratings since they joined and wear coveted petty officer ratings. Still others, with ex- ceptional backe grounds, have passed officer candidate examinations and are SPAR cadets at the Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn.
 But they are all Coast Guard. earning the same pa,s' and taking the same responsibilities ashore as Coast Guardsmen, and. what is as i'm portant, wearing the same rates.
 On a recent tour of inspection Of the District, It. Commander Doro- thy c. Stratton, the Director of the STARS, expressed unreserved satis- faction with the work of the STARS in New York, noting that in many instances STARS have taken over technical jobs and are performing them with great efficiency.
 The STARS in New York are from varied walks of life. Some are form CT models, radio actresses and writ CTS. Betty Hicks, seaman first class and better known as the national woman's golf champion Is on duty at Headquarters. Betty "buaks'' at the "USS Embassy" with a former labor union secretary and . bank clerk! Life in the STARS is much more exciting than winning champion Shins she said In a recent tpAervtew.