Viola Marguerite Fisher Sommer

Squadron Officer Viola (“Vee”) Sommer, WRAF ret., was born in London, England. She served in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (later Women’s Royal Air Force) from September 1939 to September 1957. She enjoyed a distinguished military career receiving a Mention in Despatches for her post-war work in Germany, and many exciting postings including WRAF Exchange Officer to the Pentagon where she met her husband, US Navy Captain Harold (“Hal”) Sommer. They raised their three children in England, Australia, Hawaii, and Coronado, California. The highlight of their world travel was driving from Portugal to Pakistan en route to Australia. While her husband drove their living quarters, a caravan converted from a Watney’s brewery truck, she followed in a tiny 2-cylinder Fiat roadster, encountering adventures galore through Europe and the Middle East. In 1984 after further travels through Canada and Central America in a succession of converted trucks and trailers, she and her husband finally settled in Monterey - “the best place to live on earth” - where she continued a career in free-lance travel writing. Her husband passed away in 2000. In the years since, she delighted in seeing yet more of the world through cruising with her daughter. Her independent spirit, sharp mind, and love of travel and adventure will be greatly missed. She leaves behind her sons, Geoffrey (Vivi) and Jeremy (Sandy); three grandchildren; and her daughter, Freya. She will join her husband at the San Joaqin National Cemetery, Santa Nella, until they can return home to a National Cemetery at Fort Ord.