Today our hike was dedicated in honor of :
🇺🇸 WALKING WITH FALLEN HEROES — ONE STEP AT A TIME 🇺🇸
WWII Army Veteran Hazel Francis Cato Salaba
December 10, 1921 – June 17, 1997
Age 75 | Queens, New York
❤️ TODAY, WE WALKED TO HONOR A HERO! ❤️
Today, we had the honor of hiking in memory of WWII Army Veteran Hazel Francis Cato Salaba, a woman who dedicated her life to serving her country and caring for others.
Hazel was born on December 10, 1921, in Arab, Missouri, to Elsie and Otto Cato. She was the oldest of five children and grew up riding a horse to school with her brothers and sisters.
She graduated from Missouri State Teachers College in 1941 and began her career as a schoolteacher in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. But in September 1942, Hazel answered the call to serve her country and enlisted in the United States Army.
After basic training in Des Moines, Iowa, she served during World War II with the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), assigned to the 464th Army Air Forces Base Unit in Tacoma, Washington. During her service, she worked as a nurse and later as a librarian.
While serving her country, Hazel married fellow Army veteran Charles Lauzon on February 25, 1945. Following the war, she was discharged on December 15, 1945, and the couple settled in Queens, New York, where they raised their family.
Tragically, Charles passed away in an automobile accident on May 2, 1963. Four years later, on June 3, 1967, Hazel married another WWII veteran, Joseph Salaba, an electrician she met through the American Legion.
Together, Hazel and Joe decided to leave the hustle and bustle of city life and move to a 102-acre farm in Stockton, New York. There, they built a life centered on faith, family, hard work, and helping others.
For more than 40 years, Hazel and Joe cared for and opened their home to children and adults with special needs. They also raised cattle, grew their own fruits and vegetables, and remained active in their local firehall and American Legion.
Hazel’s story is a reminder that serving others doesn’t end when military service is over. She continued making a difference in the lives of others throughout her life.
Hazel passed away on June 17, 1997, leaving behind a legacy of service, compassion, and love.
🥾 TODAY’S HIKE — FAIRFIELD GLADE, TENNESSEE 🌲
Today, we hiked two beautiful trails in Fairfield Glade, Tennessee: the Overlook Trail and the Thornhill Trail.
It was a beautiful day to be out on the trails, surrounded by nature and treated to some truly amazing views!
I want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Donna, Hazel’s daughter-in-law and our hiking friend, for joining us today to honor her mother-in-law. It was a privilege to share this hike with Donna as we remembered Hazel’s life and service.
I also want to thank Fallen Hero PV2 Joshua Dommes for helping us honor Hazel today.
Every mile we walk and every trail we hike carries a purpose. We walk to remember those who served, to share their stories, and to remind the world that these heroes were more than names on a memorial. They were mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, friends, and people who made a difference in the lives of others.
Today, we honored Hazel’s military service and the remarkable life she lived after the war.
Hazel, thank you for your service to our country and for the many lives you touched throughout your lifetime. Your story will continue to be shared, and your memory will live on with every step we take.
🇺🇸 WWII ARMY VETERAN HAZEL FRANCIS CATO SALABA WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN! 🇺🇸
Walking with Fallen Heroes — One Step At A Time.
❤️ We remember. We honor. We will never forget.
#iWalk4Them #WalkingWithFallenHeroes #NeverForget #WWIIVeteran #WomensArmyCorps #VeteransHonor #FallenHeroes #OneStepAtATime
