RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) will honor women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the ninth annual Virginia Women Veterans Week. The DVS has announced that it will honor and recognize over 110,000 women who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during Virginia Women Veterans Week from March 15 to March 21, according to a March 2 press release. This is the ninth year that Virginia has recognized the third week in March as Virginia Women Veterans Week. This year's theme is “She Leads the Legacy: Trailblazers in Motion," which showcases the women who have paved the way for other veterans. “We are proud that Virginia remains a leader in honoring the contributions of women veterans and that the Virginia Department of Veterans Services was a pioneer in recognizing the unique challenges and opportunities women veterans face when they transition from military service to civilian life,” said John Maxwell, the commissioner of the DVS, in a press release. On Wednesday, March 18, at 11 a.m., the DVS will host a free recognition ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial, located at 621 South Belvidere St. The ceremony will feature guest speakers, tributes to Virginia women veterans and all women veterans in attendance will receive a Virginia Women Veteran lapel pin. “Our Commonwealth is proudly home to over 110,000 women veterans,” said Neikesha Thompson, Women Veteran Liaison at DVS and U.S. Army combat veteran, in a press release. “This is the largest percentage of women veterans per population size of any state – and thousands more women currently serve in Virginia in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves. Virginia Women Veterans Week and this special recognition ceremony are a heartfelt tribute from all Virginians of their courage, dedication and resilience.” After the recognition ceremony, there will be a luncheon at the Virginia War Memorial, with limited seating, so attendees must pre-register. The deadline for registration is March 13. For more information and to register for the event, visit the VDS's website here. ...read more read less