CERRO GORDO - At last, Ramona Henricks returned to the Naval Proving Ground, where she was stationed during World War II. She was in the WAVES - Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services.

"For 40 years, I have visited Washington, D.C.," the 85-year-old Cerro Gordo woman said, "attending the national American Legion legislative conference. I was at the dedication of the World War II Memorial. I had a visit with Eleanor Roosevelt in the White House.

"The Naval Proving Ground is less than 100 miles from Washington. I never found the time to return.

"I became more determined to go there each year. This year, I decided it was time to go for it. I invited two friends to travel with me. We would go to the legislative conference and then on to Dahlgren, Va., where the Naval Proving Ground is located.

"As we crossed over the bridge on the Potomac River at LaPlata, Md., I recalled how many times I had been over it. As we drove into Dahlgren, not much larger than any town in Piatt County, my heart started to throb.

"There it was - the same building as 63 years ago."

It's now known as the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division.

"Inside, I indicated I would like a tour. A man from the public affairs office arrived as a guide. The base seemed to be about half again as large as I remembered. The guide explained that much more was being done with naval ordinance. A satellite had been put in the sky a month before. The guide showed us the building where the technology was centered.

"It was exciting to see the large brick building where the male personnel were housed. And our mess hall was still there. The barracks we lived in were gone, but I was not surprised because it was the temporary type of building.

"The chapel was still there and the school house.

"The best surprise was that the brick administration building was still there. I visited the office where I worked for almost two years. It had been remodeled.

"I stood at the window, which had been near my desk, and looked at the Potomac River. What a thrill.

"The commander, a woman, talked with us and posed for pictures. I never imagined a woman could be in command."

Ramona served as secretary to the administrative officer and reported court martial cases with a shorthand pad and a manual typewriter for Cmdr. Curtis Youngblood. He died at age 92 four years ago.

"It was truly hard for me to believe the base was still there and just like it used to be," Ramona said. "We had something to do with the atomic bomb, although I am not sure just what.

"I shall never forget this experience. I have always been proud of my service. I am within 150 hours of achieving 10,000 hours of voluntary service at Veterans Administration medical centers at Danville and Decatur. That's during 52 years."

Ramona's father was in the Navy in World War I. She was a freshman at Millikin University when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. She worked for a year at the price and rationing board and joined the WAVES in February 1944.

A retired teacher, she has been a 30-year volunteer news reporter for the Cerro Gordo News-Record. Her husband, Firman, died in 1993.

"During my time at the Naval Proving Ground, I became involved in military activities," she said. "To this day, the Navy hymn is my favorite and is very meaningful. Being in the WAVES was great, but I think seeing the Naval Proving Ground again has made it better, if that's possible."

Bob Fallstrom can be reached at bfallstrom@herald-review.com or 421-7981.