Ceremony for WWI Woman Veteran Irma Armanet Buried in Unmarked Grave

“Hello Girl” was one of America’s First Women Soldiers

The National Cemetery Administration, Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, and The Hello Girls Military Honors and Rembrance Project invite Veterans, active-duty service members, families, and the public to an event celebrating the military service of WWI Signal Corps Telephone Operator Irma Rameline Armanet, on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 1500 Mission Rd, Colma, CA 94014.

This event will proudly commemorate the military service of WWI Veteran Irma Rameline Armanet, born in France on January 4, 1892 and died in San Francisco on February 23, 1975.  For reasons unknown, Armanet was buried in an unmarked grave at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery for 50 years until advocates applied for a Department of Veterans Affairs flat bronze marker.  The marker was approved and installed in October 2025.

(left) Irma Rameline Armanet’s unmarked gravesite at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Coloma, CA; (center) Cemetery workers installing the Veterans Administration grave marker; (right) the completed marker with Armanet’s military service noted.

Armanet was one of 223 bilingual (French and English) telephone operators serving in the U.S. Army Signal Corps overseas in France during World War I.  She sailed overseas with the fourth unit on June 28, 1918.   Known affectionately as the “Hello Girls,” they connected over 26 million battlefield, supply and diplomatic calls from March 1918 to January 1920.  Several served at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919 and at the residence of President Woodrow Wilson in Paris.  They wore Army uniforms and swore Army oaths.

After the war, they were denied Veteran status for 60 years until 1977 when legislation finally acknowledged their military service.  The Hello Girls were communication pioneers who paved the way for all women in uniform.  Their service was essential to victory in World War I.  They were “America’s First Women Soldiers.”

In December 2024, the Hello Girls became recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian award recognized by Congress.  Fewer than 200 recipients have received this award since George Washington received the first one on March 25, 1776.  Over 50 Hello Girls were from California.

Program

12:45 Pre-Ceremony Music              Sacred Heart Cathedral High School Band

Procession                                             University of San Francisco ROTC

1:00                                                         Ceremony begins

Emcee                                                     Maeve Smith

Invocation/blessing                            Chaplain  

 National Anthem                                 Monica Rose Slater, portraying Grace Banker

Proclamations                                               

Guest speakers

Greeting/Welcome                                Monica Williams

Hello Girls history/Irma’ story            Linda Jantzen, (COL, Ret.), U.S. Army Signal Corps

U.S. Army Signal Corps                         Julia Donley, COL., Signal School Commandant

Doughboy Foundation                          Clair Sassin, Executive Director

National Cemetery Administration   Michelle Kwok, Executive Director

Congressional Gold Medal journey   Carolyn Timbie, Granddaughter of Chief Operator Grace Banker

Song “Making History”                         Ross Valley Players, Hello Girls Musical cast

Names of Hello Girls from CA              Diane Boettcher/Donna Ayres, Hello Girls Military Honors & Remembrance Project

Wreath Laying

Honor Guard

Rifle Salute                                                Leo McCardle, American Legion Post #105

Tap                                                               Grace Kilpatrick, Doughboy Foundation

Flag Folding presentation                     SSG Arleene Banioza, U.S. Army Reserve

Ceremonial flag presentation              Monica Williams

Benediction                                                Chaplain

About the Hello Girls Military Honors and Remembrance Project

The Hello Girls Military Honors and Remembrance Project is dedicated to honoring and preserving the legacy of the 280 women who served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps Telephone Operators Unit during World War I. Through genealogical research, memorial ceremonies, and descendant outreach, we ensure their service, sacrifice, and pioneering contributions are recognized, remembered, and celebrated for generations to come. We envision a future where the service of the U.S. Army Signal Corps Telephone Operators is fully recognized as an essential chapter of American military history. We strive to ensure their courage, skill, and sacrifice are permanently woven into our nation’s collective memory through education, commemoration, and the empowerment of their descendants and supporters to carry their legacy forward. The Hello Girls Military Honors and Remembrance Project is a Special Project of the Doughboy Foundation.  Find out more, and learn how you can support the Project.

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