The Marine Corps is celebrating its 249th anniversary this year.

ABC 10News reporter Madison Weil stopped by a celebration in La Mesa and sat with Randy Tidmore, a 102-year-old World War II veteran.

Tidmore was a real Rosie the Riveter. When World War II broke out and men went to war, many American women went to work.

“I made space covers,” Tidmore said. “A gap cover is a piece of metal that fits around the leading edge of a B-26 wing.”

She later joined the Marine Corps and remembers a male commander at her base not being thrilled — a testament to the times.

“He said he wouldn’t have any women or dogs on his base…and he has them both,” Tidmore said with a smile.

She graduated from boot camp in 1944. She says her service taught her many lessons and she carried them with her throughout her life.

“I think I learned respect. I’m certainly proud to be a Marine. It really made me proud and still does.”