Tenn. first in country with license plate for women veterans

Tennessee is the first state to adopt a license plate to honor women veterans, and it was made possible by a female Desert Storm Veteran.

Laura Comas is a wife, mother, and a former sergeant in the US Army.

She realized after she was honorably discharged that there were several veteran plates, but none that described her military service.

"So I went online, and when I did, I noticed that of the nearly 20 that were available at the time, none of them recognized women veterans," Comas said.

Four years ago, Comas started on a mission to pay tribute to women of the armed services.

"We've been contributing to our nation since its beginning and without very much acknowledgment or recognition."

She drafted the bill then enlisted some help in creating the license plate.

"I then approached graphic artist and military historian Tom Walker about the possibility of designing a plate, and he was most honored," Comas added.

Tom Walker also designed a chaplains' memorial called "Faith and Courage."

Comas will be the first to tell you she could not have done it without some lawmaker legwork from Senator Doug Overbey of Maryville and Senator Tim Burchett of Knoxville.

"I thought it would send an important message that we honor our women veterans who have been willing to fight and risk their lives for our freedoms," Senator Doug Overbey said.

"I think that they ought to know that Tennessee does welcome them, and Tennessee is proud of them," Senator Tim Burchett added.

Comas took her idea to Washington D.C. and spoke to other women veterans to see if other states will follow Tennessee's lead.

"I lobbied very, very hard for other states to consider this as an option, and since then West Virginia has followed through as well," Comas said.

As of this month, the license plates are now available statewide.

Women veterans can take their discharge papers to their local county clerk's office.

The first one issued went to Comas.

To find out more about the East Tennessee Women Veterans Network you can go to www.etwvn.com