Loretta Detmer Tulacz, a first generation Polish American, was born in 1921 and unlike the expectations for women of her day, Loretta embraced adventure. At age 21 she enlisted into the Women’s Army Corps during WWII, left her hometown of Poughkeepsie, NY, and traveled to Florida for basic training. Upon completion she boarded a Navy transport ship and sailed to Italy where she served with the 40th WAAC HQ and the 1847th WAC, reaching the rank of Technical Sergeant. She was stationed throughout Morocco, Italy, and Egypt, working as a stenographer, chaplain’s assistant, and chief clerk.
She became a jeep driver for a General officer and was promoted to classified courier for the American Embassy in Cairo. Loretta told numerous stories of her many exciting experiences overseas including being in active combat zones, living in bombed out buildings, and traveling with top secret documents handcuffed to her wrist. She was highly decorated and has her name included at the Women’s Memorial in Washington, D.C.
After the war she worked for IBM, got married, and had two children. She remained active through involvement with extended family and organizations such as the local bowling association, the Catholic Church, the American Legion, and the VFW.
Her hobbies included roller skating and she often competed in figure-skating and couples skate- dancing. She was an accomplished seamstress, making her own clothes and skating costumes.
Loretta and her husband Ed moved to Florida in 1979 and enjoyed an active retirement. Loretta loved to oil paint and regularly sold and donated her artwork. Having loved the warm Florida weather, she took up cycling and accumulated over 12,000 miles on her bicycle. She had a full long life passing away gracefully at the age of 95.