Dorothy Mary (Sudomir) Budacki passed away this Fall. I had the chance to meet her and her daughter, Denise Duke (both in Navy uniform) at the World War II Memorial in November of 2007. We exchanged some pictures and letters over the past year and this is one of my favorite images. Her daughter Denise wrote:
“She had many jobs in the Navy but the one she was most proud of was her assignment to “Push Boots” that means training the new recruits. The highlight for her was marching in uniform to St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York for Easter Sunday mass. She said “it was a sea of white caps!” Dorothy served from Mar 1944 – Dec 1945 and Feb 1949 – May 1953. Her assignments included Hunter College, in the Bronx, NY; Newport, RI; Great Lakes, IL; Bainbridge, MD; San Diego, CA; and Columbus, OH.
Her highest rank achieved was PN1. During her time in service she met and married CWO3 Frank “Stretch” Budacki (USN/Ret). Stretch went on to serve and retire from active duty. Itching for the same opportunities they experienced as “Navy Brats” their two daughters followed in the family foot steps. Oldest daughter Veronica Budacki Orem went on to retire from the Naval Reserves as a Commander and the youngest daughter Denise Budacki Duke retired from active service as a Navy Lieutenant. Both women married Navy men who also retired from active service. As you can tell this little dynamo was the nucleus of a Navy family. She was proud to be an American, proud to be Ukrainian and proud to have served her country! May she rest in peace.”
She was one of the many enthusiastic and bright-eyed veterans I’ve had the opportunity to meet on this World War II Memorial project and a good reason to cherish the great fortune we have had to know this greatest generation a little bit better. Here’s a few pictures with myself, Denise and Senator Dole. It was a wonderful day!
