Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Republican Leader John Boehner, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and Members of Congress will hold a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony on March 10, 2010 in the Capitol to honor the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II.
The WASP was a pioneering organization of civilian female pilots employed to fly military aircrafts under the direction of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. More than 60 years ago, they flew fighter, bomber, transport, and training aircraft in defense of America’s freedom. Through their actions, the WASP eventually were the catalyst for revolutionary reform in the integration of women pilots into the Armed Services.
Legislation to support the WASP Congressional Gold Medal was co-sponsored by: Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and Representative Susan Davis (D-CA). On July 1, 2009, President Obama signed this legislation.
“This Congressional Gold Medal honors the remarkable accomplishments, courage, and sacrifice of a distinct group of women in the United States military,” said Congresswomen Ros-Lehtinen and Davis, and Senators Hutchison and Mikulski. “The Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII will be remembered for their dedicated efforts and unwavering service to our country in the fight for freedom.”
NOTE: For additional information on the events surrounding the ceremony, please click here.
For invitation information for all WASP and family members of deceased WASP, please contact Women in Military Service for America Memorial, Inc.:wasp@womensmemorial.org or (703) 533-1155.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VMERG's part of this project is to meet our inbound WASPs,(women's airforce service pilots) who will most likely be in their service uniforms, and escort them to our "Canteen." At the appropriate time, we will then escort them to their departure gate, to Washington DC, (most of them will be flying into DCA- in groups, throughout the day). We have secured the Yandry Centry on the 8th, from 0900-1800. We will decorate it with a 1940's and WWII theme. We are serving refreshments and cake. What need your support with decorating, escorting and, finally, a procession at their departure gate. We would love to have a very strong turn out in supporting our first military qualified pilots, and WWII honorees!
Details: Please wear your regulation AA/AE uniform. If you don't have a uniform, please wear business casual with your AA ID, (there will be photographers and photo ops). Shift work and time of availability is at your discretion throughout the 0900-1800 time frame. We will meet our first arrivals, escort them to the "Canteen,"(yandry center) for a reception in their honor and also an opportunity to meet these amazing pilots, then escort them to their departure gate. They will be leaving in groups, as revenue passengers, NOT charters, to their departure gate headed to DCA. Please keep in mind, they are revenue customers and will be traveling with their family members as well. Most of the ladies are very active and are also active with their local veteran organizations. Some, are traveling with wheelchairs, or have will be needing some special assistance. Some family members will be traveling without their heroine as they are attending the ceremony to receive this award posthumously on behalf of their honoree. Nonetheless, we will be there to honor and support them! We have invited local ROTC groups to assist with the escort. Being a weekday, we do not yet have an idea of the number of ROTC volunteers that will join us. We may have to go directly from the inbound to the outbound, in some cases. However, at the DCA departure gate, we hope to have a parade procession lined up at the gate, to applaud and celebrate this very important occasion.
So, as a wrap, we need volunteers to work as decorators, meeter and greeter escorts, greeters at the canteen and then at our parade line at the departure gate for DCA. Whatever you can support, we appreciate. This is our first group task for 2010 and we really would appreciate a strong turn out! This is a once in a lifetime event and a great opportunity to meet some of those who contributed to WWII's victory and history's very first military trained pilots.
If you can attend, please bring your US Flags!!!! This is a very patriotic event!
Please let me know what you would like to do and the hours you can work. Please email me if you have any questions dfwvmerg@yahoo.com or jetcty1@yahoo.com. The event is 3/8 which is around the corner, so please let me know, if possible, but soon!
Thank you for any support you can give!
Val, Rachael, Jim and Terri
VMERG's part of this project is to meet our inbound WASPs,(women's airforce service pilots) who will most likely be in their service uniforms, and escort them to our "Canteen." At the appropriate time, we will then escort them to their departure gate, to Washington DC, (most of them will be flying into DCA- in groups, throughout the day). We have secured the Yandry Centry on the 8th, from 0900-1800. We will decorate it with a 1940's and WWII theme. We are serving refreshments and cake. What need your support with decorating, escorting and, finally, a procession at their departure gate. We would love to have a very strong turn out in supporting our first military qualified pilots, and WWII honorees!
Details: Please wear your regulation AA/AE uniform. If you don't have a uniform, please wear business casual with your AA ID, (there will be photographers and photo ops). Shift work and time of availability is at your discretion throughout the 0900-1800 time frame. We will meet our first arrivals, escort them to the "Canteen,"(yandry center) for a reception in their honor and also an opportunity to meet these amazing pilots, then escort them to their departure gate. They will be leaving in groups, as revenue passengers, NOT charters, to their departure gate headed to DCA. Please keep in mind, they are revenue customers and will be traveling with their family members as well. Most of the ladies are very active and are also active with their local veteran organizations. Some, are traveling with wheelchairs, or have will be needing some special assistance. Some family members will be traveling without their heroine as they are attending the ceremony to receive this award posthumously on behalf of their honoree. Nonetheless, we will be there to honor and support them! We have invited local ROTC groups to assist with the escort. Being a weekday, we do not yet have an idea of the number of ROTC volunteers that will join us. We may have to go directly from the inbound to the outbound, in some cases. However, at the DCA departure gate, we hope to have a parade procession lined up at the gate, to applaud and celebrate this very important occasion.
So, as a wrap, we need volunteers to work as decorators, meeter and greeter escorts, greeters at the canteen and then at our parade line at the departure gate for DCA. Whatever you can support, we appreciate. This is our first group task for 2010 and we really would appreciate a strong turn out! This is a once in a lifetime event and a great opportunity to meet some of those who contributed to WWII's victory and history's very first military trained pilots.
If you can attend, please bring your US Flags!!!! This is a very patriotic event!
Please let me know what you would like to do and the hours you can work. Please email me if you have any questions dfwvmerg@yahoo.com or jetcty1@yahoo.com. The event is 3/8 which is around the corner, so please let me know, if possible, but soon!
Thank you for any support you can give!
Val, Rachael, Jim and Terri
1 comment:
Thank you American Airlines for what you do to honor our Veterans; combat wounded and our Fallen military service members of the United States Armed Forces.
Your effort is greatly appreciated and is something that makes us proud to be American's.
Keep up the great work.
Wes Hazlett
Founder and National Director
The American Patriot Program.
Post a Comment