Special Guest, Bea Abrams Cohen, 102, Visits the BCC

The Brentwood Community Council had a special treat when 102-year-old Bea Abrams Cohen, a bona-fide hero, came to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the March meeting. She was greeted by her friend, Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who came to present her with a commendation for the service she has lovingly provided to her adopted homeland and to the community of veterans she serves.
Ms. Cohen led the council in the Pledge and without skipping a beat, she intoned everyone to join her in “God Bless America.†With a voice that rang out with pride, she stood as a symbol of patriotism. Councilman Rosendahl presented her with a proclamation and a half-dozen eggs from his own hens.
Ms. Cohen is a native of Bucharest, Romania, born February 3, 1910. She witnessed two World Wars; her family came to the United States in 1920, following War I. They settled in Texas and moved to California in 1929. At the outbreak of WW II, Ms. Cohen learned how to rivet and went to work for Douglas Aircraft. She then enlisted in the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC, later WAC) in 1943 and served overseas as Private First Class in communications.
After the war, in 1946, she married a former Prisoner of War, Ray Cohen and they settled in Los Angeles. The two were active with other Ex-POWs, in a group that still meets regularly at the Veterans Home in Los Angeles.
Ms. Cohen is active in many organizations, but her passion for American Veterans is inspiring. Legally blind since 1990, and widowed in 2003, Cohen is an advocate for veterans. She hasn’t slowed down, collecting socks for soldiers overseas and spreading compassion and inspiration. “Our veterans have given their lives and their health for the freedoms we enjoy. I would like to ask people to please show respect and compassion to our veterans. Remember, they are our heroes.†And so are you, Bea.