This photo provided by Elaine Yuen shows her mother, Elsie Chin Yuen Seetoo, the first Chinese American nurse to join the Army Nurse Corps, next to a photo of herself at an exhibit at the Army Historical Foundation in Arlington, Va., in May 2017. Elaine Yuen via AP

Women Airforce Service Pilots, Chinese Americans, and real-life Rosie the Riveters all have one thing in common — they have all been honored with the Congressional Gold Medal for their service in World War II. More than 80 years later, military nurses who served in that war have not.

The longer the government waits to rectify that oversight, the fewer of them remain to see it happen. Only a handful of the thousands of brave women who served survive, all around 100 years old.

They came from a wide range of backgrounds and consisted of people from a variety of races, colors and creeds. What they had in common was a desire to serve and drive to heal and help those who needed it.

During their service, many performed under enemy attack. Some were killed. Others were taken as prisoners of war. All saw, and treated the wounds from, the horrors war brings.

There is currently legislation in Congress to finally recognize these nurses with the Congressional Gold Medal. It has eight cosponsors in the Senate and six in the House. It needs 67 and 290 votes in each respective chamber.

This is, without question, a nonpartisan issue. We can’t see how anyone could oppose it. As a result, we urge Congress to back legislation honoring these brave individuals who not only served their country, but saved the lives of others doing the same.

We also urge them to make it a priority so at least some of them can see it happen in their lifetimes.

Time is running out.

— JP