Retired Capt. Martha Kotite will present “Telling Their Stories: A Celebration of Women Veterans” at 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 22, at Chao Auditorium in UofL’s Ekstrom Library. Veterans advocate Heather French Henry will emcee.

Admission is free but RSVPs are needed by email at women.veterans@ky.gov. The Kentucky veterans affairs department also will furnish parking for the first 100 people who RSVP.

Kotite will discuss the importance of the female veteran experience and its significance in relating military history, drawing upon the stories she collected in writing five books: “Changing the Rules of Engagement: Inspiring Stories of Courage and Leadership from Women in the Miltary,” “My Name is Old Glory: A Celebration of the Star-Spangled Banner,” “Legacy: A History of the Coast Guard Foundation,” “So Others May Live: Coast Guard’s Rescue Swimmers” and “Innovators: Rock Stars of STEM”. The program will conclude with a book-signing event with Kotite.

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About Martha Kotite

Kotite’s leadership style empowered her to be one of the first female officers to serve aboard two Coast Guard cutters with all male crews. Patrolling the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans as well as the Caribbean Sea, she remained true to herself while changing the rules of engagement.

A graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy with a masters from Harvard University, Kotite rose to the senior rank of captain and is an award-winning author of five books. Her presentations are influenced by her 29-year career serving at sea and ashore and the courageous trailblazers she has profiled in her books.

Kotite earned numerous personal and team awards for her mobilizations during national disasters, missions saving lives at sea and work as a public relations spokesperson for the Service, the Commandant’s Press Secretary and as a New York City public relations firm’s account director for IBM.

Kotite lead the Coast Guard’s development of emergency crisis management liaisons across the FEMA regions and nation. She deployed on scene for significant national events like the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and numerous catastrophic hurricanes including Sandy and Maria. Hand-picked by the Commandant, she worked in Washington as the Commandant’s Press Secretary and served at sea on a cutter sailing the Pacific Ocean and as executive officer of a patrol boat patrolling the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Today, she lives in Florida with her family.

Following the success and popularity of the 2015 event, organizers are hosting the celebration for a second year to honor the legacy and service of the Greatest Generation.

In Louisville, the Spirit of ‘45 will take place at the Vintage WarBirds Hangar 5 at Bowman Field, 2700 Gast Blvd. On Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., exhibits, demonstrations and entertainment will evoke memories of Louisville during World War II.

“The University of Louisville has been working to educate members of the military, veterans and their families since World War II, when we helped train officers in the V-12 program,” said Renee Finnegan, UofL executive director of military initiatives. “Last year, we were named a ‘Best for Vets’ university because of our tireless work for those who have dedicated their lives to our freedom. We are honored to serve those who have served their country.”

UofL’s contributions to the event are included below: 

• In appreciation of their service, veterans attending Saturday’s event will have an opportunity to make an appointment for a complimentary dental exam and panoramic x-ray at the UofL School of Dentistry. Dental students also plan to provide oral health education at their booth.
• The UofL Kornhauser Library will have a custom-made exhibit featuring memorabilia from the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine and Nursing from the WWII era. In addition, a number of UofL faculty and alumni plan to display their personal WWII memorabilia and model airplane collections.
• UofL’s Institute for Sustainable Health and Optimal Aging will provide information on healthy aging and living, along with opportunities to sign a participant registry for those interested in taking part in academic research projects. In keeping with the theme of aging well, the Institute also will raffle two basketballs – one signed by Hall of Fame coach Denny Crum and the other signed by Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino. Tickets are $20 and $15 respectively, with the proceeds going to the Spirit of ’45 Committee to offset costs for next year’s event.

Other presenters include the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, and a variety of other veterans organizations. Vintage military equipment, vehicles and aircraft also will be on display. Admission is free, a $5 donation is requested for parking.

In the same location, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., a “Canteen Dinner and Dance” will be held, featuring the Ladies of Liberty and the Don Krekel Orchestra performing big-band hits of the period, and a drawing to give four people a free ride in the UPS simulator. Admission is $50 per person.

Update: Photos from this year’s event are .