WASPs Gather One Last Time: The final reunion of the Women's Airforce Service Pilots took place Sept. 25-28 in Irving, Tex., bringing together women aviators from different generations to pay tribute to the courage and dedication of these female pilots of World War II. "It's important we get together with the WASPs, that we honor them for what they have done for us," said Maj. Gen. Linda Hemminger, the mobilization assistant to the Air Force deputy surgeon general. Maj. Jennifer King, a C-17 pilot with the Air Force Reserve Command's 315th Airlift Wing from Charleston AFB, S.C., added, "They broke through so many barriers and enabled women to serve their country in the military and in the air." At the reunion, the formal WASP organization officially disbanded. "The WASPs said that their age is starting to catch up with them, the youngest being 83," said MSgt. Rodney Hage, AFRC liaison for the reunion. In its place, a new group was formed called Wingtip to Wingtip that "will help the ladies continue to keep in touch with one another and help get WASPs to various events to speak," Hage said. During the reunion the WASPs made their last official flight when they to the skies in a C-130 transport flown by an all-female aircrew from AFRC's 302nd Airlift Wing from Peterson AFB, Colo. (Irving report by Capt. Wayne Capps)
(Air Force photo TSgt. Dawn Price)
The Wiki also has a good article on WASPs.Doesn’t it make you sad, Gentle Reader, when you read “The final reunion...” about these magnificent women and their comrades in arms… both male and female… from World War II?We’re losing more and more of this generation by the day, but their memory will live on.Case in point:
This is the WASP display at the Hill Aerospace Museum, located on HillAFB near Salt Lake City, Utah.Note the rapt expressions on the faces of these kids (click for larger, of course)… they’re watching a video about the WASPs and their service.The video was quite good… I watched it, too.
I think it was a couple years ago in '06 that my great aunt wrote me that she attended the final Pearl Harbor reunion that year. My great-uncle survived the attack there on the USS Penn. (which was in drydock at the time of the attack). He had died back in the early 90's but Aunt Dixie always attended the reunions in his place. Very sad that this generation is quickly becoming extinct.
I just buried my father-in-law 3 weeks ago. A veteran of the 5th Marine Div., survivor of Iwo Jima, he carried the emotional scars all his adult life. I tried several times to get him to tell his story, I could only get him to go as far as leaving Hawaii. I am richer for having him in my home for the last 18 months of his life and will never be the same.
I have read some articles on the WASPs and I find them amazing. And yes, it is sad that they have had their last reunion. Once again that generation just did what needed to be done without much fanfare or tribute.
Jenny: Good on your aunt for still attending the Pearl Harbor Survivors reunions after your uncle passed on. And yeah, their last reunion was in 2006. Sad.
SantaJim sez: I tried several times to get him to tell his story, I could only get him to go as far as leaving Hawaii. I am richer for having him in my home for the last 18 months of his life and will never be the same.
I'm sorry about your father-in-law's passing, SJ. I most certainly hear you about your life being changed, as well. My father never talked about his war, either, until the very end of his life... and then only briefly, on one occasion. That's sort of the way those guys just were.
WASPs Gather One Last Time: The final reunion of the Women's Airforce Service Pilots took place Sept. 25-28 in 
I think it was a couple years ago in '06 that my great aunt wrote me that she attended the final Pearl Harbor reunion that year. My great-uncle survived the attack there on the USS Penn. (which was in drydock at the time of the attack). He had died back in the early 90's but Aunt Dixie always attended the reunions in his place. Very sad that this generation is quickly becoming extinct.
ReplyDeleteI just buried my father-in-law 3 weeks ago. A veteran of the 5th Marine Div., survivor of Iwo Jima, he carried the emotional scars all his adult life. I tried several times to get him to tell his story, I could only get him to go as far as leaving Hawaii. I am richer for having him in my home for the last 18 months of his life and will never be the same.
ReplyDeleteThe WASP's were remarkable women who made a huge difference in the outcome of the war. We must never forget them...
ReplyDeleteGod Bless them all.
I have read some articles on the WASPs and I find them amazing. And yes, it is sad that they have had their last reunion. Once again that generation just did what needed to be done without much fanfare or tribute.
ReplyDeleteGood post Buck, I'd really like to see that video too.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Buck. I find the WASP's fascinating.
ReplyDeleteJenny: Good on your aunt for still attending the Pearl Harbor Survivors reunions after your uncle passed on. And yeah, their last reunion was in 2006. Sad.
ReplyDeleteSantaJim sez: I tried several times to get him to tell his story, I could only get him to go as far as leaving Hawaii. I am richer for having him in my home for the last 18 months of his life and will never be the same.
I'm sorry about your father-in-law's passing, SJ. I most certainly hear you about your life being changed, as well. My father never talked about his war, either, until the very end of his life... and then only briefly, on one occasion. That's sort of the way those guys just were.
Thanks for dropping by.
Cynthia, Lou, Dawn, and Ash: Thank ya, Ladies!