"They told me at the time, 'The Navy doesn't push its nurses out of planes,' " said Rost, 71, who grew up in Newport and now lives in Groesbeck with her husband, Al Rost, a Navy veteran of the Korean War.

As a girl whose parents worked to support the World War II effort, she was a latchkey child living in the 1000 block of Newport's York Street who "practiced" pretend parachute landings like those in war movies. She didn't serve during wartime and didn't jump from an airplane, but she became a lieutenant junior grade.

Rost was at the Kenton County Public Library's downtown Covington branch Saturday, spreading the word about the nearly 2 million women who have served in the country's defense - some as spies, saboteurs, test pilots and in combat.

Officials now are collecting photographs and stories for the national Women's Memorial, which opened in 1997 at Arlington National Cemetery. Those will be posted on a database inside the memorial to keep their stories alive, said Rost, a field representative for the memorial.

People can register themselves, friends or relatives with the Women's Memorial database, by calling (800) 222-2294. Donations of $25 are sought but not required, Rost said.

"They were just like the guys, doing what they could for their country," said Connie Jett, president of the American Legion Post 11 ladies' auxiliary in Newport.

"Without their sacrifices, who knows where we'd be," said Jett, . who noted several women at her Legion post had served.

"Right now, 15 percent of the military services are women, which many people don't realize," Rost said. And more than 400,000 women served during WWII, something their younger offspring may not know.

Rost and others will staff a display at the Cincinnati Museum Center from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

E-mail mrutledge@enquirer.com