“To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there.”

These simple words, said by former First Lady Barbara Bush, shine a light on how the love of your family is often the most precious thing you’ll ever have.

For a 101-year-old, the idea of not seeing her older brother again was devastating. So she did what any sister would do – she joined the military and followed after him.

Navy veteran Dorothy “Pat” Rudd, was one of the first women to be allowed to serve overseas, as part of the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) group. This legislation, passed in 1942, allowed Rudd to follow her brother into war.

On Fox News, she told reporters how she happened to be one of the first to find out the legislation passed.

Pat Rudd during her time in the U.S. Navy. Photo courtesy of Rudd

“I was in the Senate (visiting) and I happened to be there the day they passed the bill for us to go overseas, and I was so excited that I went back straight to quarters and signed up for volunteering to go,” Rudd said.

And I was chosen as one of them to be in the first 200 to go, and so that was a thrill to begin with.”

Rudd and her brother had worked together at home, before he joined the military. She said he inspired her to want more in life.

“He was a gunner’s mate and was at sea most of the time,” she recalled. “And I never did get to see him when I was in Hawaii. He came right after I left… but we worked in a factory together before we ever went in the service, and so after he left, I kind of wanted to go, so that’s why I joined.”

@disneyparks Pat Rudd, you made our day so special 🇺🇸❤️ #Disney #DisneyParks #DisneyWorld #MagicKingdom #Veteran ♬ original sound – Disney Parks

Rudd became a Specialist S, 3rd Class, and said that she played a role in teaching sailors to read and write, while overseas at the base on what was the Territory of Hawai’i at the time. She also worked in a hospital there, too.

“As far as my duty was concerned, I was assigned to the education office, where I taught illiterates to where they could read and write, and what a joy it was to have a boy come and say, I got a letter from my mom and I can read it,” Rudd said, with tears. 

Pat Rudd carries the American flag that was presented to her by Disney. Photo by Disney

Rudd also met her husband, Gerald, at Pearl Harbor, who was active-duty Navy himself and were married for 71 years until his death. Following the war, Rudd continued a life of service, by creating needlepoints for VA hospitals.

For her service, Walt Disney recognized her for her service at a Flag Retreat ceremony in June, for Women’s Veterans Day. Rudd received a flag during the park’s parade.

Honoring Pat during the day’s events were members of Disney SALUTE, a veteran employee resource group, including Susan Finnigan, Lead Project Manager for Disney marketing and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

“Pat’s unwavering spirit and commitment to duty are an inspiration to fellow servicewomen,” Finnigan said. “It was an honor to be able to join my fellow veterans here at Disney to help celebrate a trailblazer and hero like Pat.”

Watch below to see this amazing hero discuss her service to our country!

Sources: KATV | Fox News | PR Newsire