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1923 - 2015
Lt. Col. Alice V. Peters, U.S. Army (Ret.), 91, a Coal Grove, Ohio native passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at Kingsbrook Life Care Center, Ashland, Ky. She was born November 21, 1923 in Sciotoville, Ohio daughter of the late Ralph L. and Emma Irwin Peters. She is survived by three sisters Mary Frances Roush of Coal Grove, Ohio, Thelma Louise McGuire of Ironton, Ohio and Sarah Jeanette Killin of Ironton, Ohio; one brother Ralph G. Peters of Coal Grove, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was raised in southeast Ohio and graduated from The Ohio State with a teaching degree. She received her Masters degree in music from Marshall University. After teaching at Coal Grove School for six years, she joined the Army in 1951. Her military career started as the bandmaster of the 14th Army Band (WAC), a position she held for 11 years. It was the only all-female band in the entire military and they toured the country extensively. They were the preferred band at many presidential functions and marched in three inaugural parades. Alice led the band at the 1956 Worlds Fair in New York as well. Her military career had just begun. She worked at the Office of Public Affairs at the Pentagon and was the only person on duty the day she received the call informing her that President Kennedy had just been shot. The days following were crazy, as she recalls. It wasnt long before she transferred to another position at the Military District of Washington. From there she went to Logistics Command Headquarters in Europe and then back to the States as the Chief of Information at the Defense Language Institute. Alice retired after 21 years at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. She spent her retirement years enjoying boating with her dear friend Colonel Dorothy Gray. Their friendship began in 1955 and endured until Dorothy passed away in 2006. A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, February 7, 2015 at Woodland Cemetery, Ironton, Ohio with Rev. Bradley Jenkins officiating. Full military graveside honors will be conducted with burial to follow. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Coal Grove United Methodist Church. Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville, Ohio is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/hall.
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There are currently 7 condolences.
Helen Gillespie (SFC Ret/USA-USAR)
Sunday February 8, 2015 at
8:44 AM
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Godspeed WAC Band Sister. Thank you for your service and the dedication to the WAC Band. Thank you to your family who helped make you the quality person and soldier who set the standard without compromise.
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Carol Ogg, SFC US Army Retired
Saturday February 7, 2015 at
10:27 PM
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Although I served in the WAC Band, LTC Peters had already left. She was a legend in the band. My condolences to her friends and family.
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mary schnarr
Saturday February 7, 2015 at
11:29 AM
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I played in the band late fifties early sixties under a flat clarinet rest in peace
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Karen Syverson
Saturday February 7, 2015 at
10:38 AM
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Ma'am, the 14th Army Band (WAC) will miss your music and your leadership. God has many of us now, so you will find your Band waiting for the downbeat. Rest easy, soldier. You played a good gig.
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Sheila Cooney Swigert
Saturday February 7, 2015 at
10:26 AM
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I served in the WAC Band under Lt Peters from 1955-57. I admired and liked Lt Peters.
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Sandra Sagud
sagud@sbvglobal.net
Saturday February 7, 2015 at
9:52 AM
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God Bless you, One of your trumpet players of the 14th Army Band in 1957-58. Those were the days. Love Always Sandy
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Keith Petrie
Friday February 6, 2015 at
10:11 AM
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Although I never had the privilege of knowing Lt. Col. Peters, I am taken with her number of accomplishments and lives which she touched during her life's journey. Such a monumental person with such a wonderful life story, especially the 51 year friendship with Col. Gray. Such a blessing to them and to our society. Thank you, Lt. Col. Peters, for all you did for our country and our world.
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