For The Love Of Her Country
This is an amazing story to me. Kind of inspirational. I know what it is like to have a title and how hard it must be for her to give it up.
Jessica Gaulke's resignation as the Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes takes effect Jan. 3, 2007, after she represents the Aquatennial at the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, Calif.
DAVID JOLES: AP
Nov. 16, 2006, 11:55AM
Beauty queen headed for tour of duty in Iraq
Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS — Jessica Gaulke is trading in her sash as a Minnesota beauty queen for Army fatigues — and Iraq.
Gaulke, who was chosen Minneapolis Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes in July, is giving up her title because her National Guard unit has been activated for duty. The 22-year-old Augsburg College sociology student will be going to the Mideast as a diesel generator mechanic.
"It really wasn't a decision that was mine to be made," said Gaulke. "My unit's going. I've accepted it. It's part of the whole scope of why I joined; I'll be there for all of us over here."
Gaulke said being Queen of the Lakes, Minnesota's best-known festival royalty, is "a huge honor," but she said she is simply honoring the agreement she made when she committed to the Guard before her senior year in high school.
Her last day as queen will be Jan. 2, when she'll represent the Aquatennial in the Rose Bowl parade. Aquatennial officials will announce the new queen in January. She'll serve until July and, like Gaulke, will receive a $4,000 college scholarship.
"We're distressed to lose a good queen, but we'll have a worthy successor. And we're proud of her for making this choice and what she'll do for the country," Aquatennial President Jim Erickson said.
Jessica Gaulke's resignation as the Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes takes effect Jan. 3, 2007, after she represents the Aquatennial at the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, Calif.
DAVID JOLES: AP
Nov. 16, 2006, 11:55AM
Beauty queen headed for tour of duty in Iraq
Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS — Jessica Gaulke is trading in her sash as a Minnesota beauty queen for Army fatigues — and Iraq.
Gaulke, who was chosen Minneapolis Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes in July, is giving up her title because her National Guard unit has been activated for duty. The 22-year-old Augsburg College sociology student will be going to the Mideast as a diesel generator mechanic.
"It really wasn't a decision that was mine to be made," said Gaulke. "My unit's going. I've accepted it. It's part of the whole scope of why I joined; I'll be there for all of us over here."
Gaulke said being Queen of the Lakes, Minnesota's best-known festival royalty, is "a huge honor," but she said she is simply honoring the agreement she made when she committed to the Guard before her senior year in high school.
Her last day as queen will be Jan. 2, when she'll represent the Aquatennial in the Rose Bowl parade. Aquatennial officials will announce the new queen in January. She'll serve until July and, like Gaulke, will receive a $4,000 college scholarship.
"We're distressed to lose a good queen, but we'll have a worthy successor. And we're proud of her for making this choice and what she'll do for the country," Aquatennial President Jim Erickson said.
posted by Ohio Queen @ 10:58 AM
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