RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- 8News is honoring Veterans' Voices with a story about friendship and perseverance. Back to where it all began, four women who served in the U.S. Army Reserve's 80th division return for the first time in decades. The group first met in 1979 inside what is now the training command headquarters in Richmond. Ruby Lewis and Glynes Cheatham were the first to meet, then came Miriam Mccray. "Miriam was coming from Woodbridge, and she seemed to be kind of by herself, so I invited her to become a part of our group,” said Army Reserve Veteran of 20 years Ruby Lewis. Last to join was Wanda Morrison, the current Mayor of Kenbridge, who was just 17 years old at the time and working for Lewis in the inspector general's office. The group's bond grew as the reservists met for their monthly drill. "We would spend Saturday afternoon together, and then don't forget we spent lunch together, and then we spent dinner together, and then we met up on Sunday, and that was the last time we would see each other for one month,” said Army Reserve Veteran of 22 years Glynes Cheatham. When military life got tough, these friends offered encouragement.