Remembering the WWII Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) This Memorial Weekend

"Our Eyes are on the Stars", the title of the float,
celebrates and honors the military service of the Women Airforce Service Pilots.

In January 2014, my husband and I attended the Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA, where I learned about a brave group of women. Because of the Wingtip to Wingtip Association float in the 2014 Rose Parade, the 1102 women who served their country as Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) received recognition for their contribution to the war in 1942-1944. These brave trailblazers dreamed of flying for their nation. 

Because of the shortage of male pilots for combat duty, the women pushed to become pilots in order to free up the men for fighting the war. The WASP group members were assigned to ferry military planes between military bases in the USA and flights from aircraft factories to ports of embarkation. They also towed targets for live anti-aircraft artillery practice, simulated strafing missions, and transported cargo. A few exceptionally qualified women were allowed to test rocket-propelled planes, to pilot jet-propelled planes, and to work with radar-controlled targets. The WASP were not assigned to combat missions.

The reproduction of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to the WASP decorates the side of the float. The 38 stars around the medal salute the 38 WASP who lost their lives in service to their country.

When the WASP was disbanded in 1944, the courageous women were not considered members of the military and received no recognition. They paid their way back home and their contribution to the war effort was forgotten. They were not recognized as veterans until 1977 when the WASP records were unsealed. According to Wikipedia, on July 1, 2009 President Barack Obama and the United States Congress awarded the WASP the Congressional Gold Medal. During the ceremony President Obama said, "The Women Airforce Service Pilots courageously answered their country's call in a time of need while blazing a trail for the brave women who have given and continue to give so much in service to this nation since. Every American should be grateful for their service, and I am honored to sign this bill to finally give them some of the hard-earned recognition they deserve." 

More than 15000 red Freedom roses decorated the length of the float.

The first issue of the Fifinella Gazette was published February 10, 1943. The female gremlin Fifinella was conceived by Roald Dahl and drawn by Walt Disney, and used as the official WASP mascot that appeared on their shoulder patches.

During this 2016 Memorial Day weekend, let's remember the WASP who opened the skies to later generations of female pilots in the military. 

Thank you to all those who serve in the USA military service both past and present. 

Enjoy your Memorial Day activities, but please take time to tell the children why we have Memorial Day. Let us remember those who gave their lives for our country.

VIDEO:

This excellent video posted by the American Legion HQ enlightens us about the WASP history. The seven minute video will take you back to those WWII days with the music and the sights and the important story of these female pilots who opened the skies for the women military pilots of today.

Women Air Force Service Pilots Video

www.wingsacrossamerica.org

Previously blogged at the Girls Succeed blog

Rose Parade 2014 Thank a Million Teachers Float, Another Great Review for Coda to Murder

We attended the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California on New Year's Day. So many gorgeous floats to view. The theme of the 2014 parade was "Dreams Come True." I thought the Thank a Million Teachers float fit right into the theme because educators work with kids to help make their dreams come true. I bet you can think of one or several teachers in your life who influenced your decisions for your future. 

Schools and home schoolers are back to their studies after the holiday break. All fired up to get back to the books...and recess... (I know my grandsons were ready after an extended vacation due to snow days!) So this float filled with comical wise owls and blog post are
reminders to thank a teacher. They are so important in helping a child to fulfill his/her dreams.

The floats in the rose parade must be completely covered with natural materials, no paint! These colors are directly from nature. 

I'm not sure what materials were used to cover the owls,
but I imagine a lot of grasses, flowers, and seeds
were carefully applied to the zany wise birds.

I discovered this beautifully crafted review for Coda to Murder from Amazon reviewer Kia Heavey. She writes what I would consider a 5 star synopsis of the book and pronounces it a "gentle love story within this murder mystery."

Sweet and inspired romantic suspense story, December 27, 2013

By 

Kia Heavey (Connecticut, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

I generally read edgier thrillers but a friend recommended this book, so I gave it a try. It turned out to be a witty, pleasant, and cozy little romantic thriller. Christine Hobbs is the spirited and pretty pastor of the Dayspring Church, where she has become a capable leader and member of the church family. Unfortunately, the normally staid congregation is rocked by the murder of the church music director. An arrogant detective, Cole Stephens, is sent to investigate and he immediately rubs Pastor Hobbs the wrong way. Yet in spite of his abrupt and accusatory manner, Detective Stephens lingers in Christine's thoughts. But the young pastor has been burned before, so trusting this maddening man is a struggle. Cole is equally as attracted to her, but how can he trust someone who is on his short list of murder suspects?

Things get steadily stranger as Christine's good nature leads her to take in a homeless cat, then a pig and a kangaroo whose owners are temporarily unable to care for them. The menagerie lands Pastor Hobbs in an uptight church lady's crosshairs. Then Christine's friend, Lacey, aids her in her amateur sleuthing efforts to clear herself, leading to more than one harrowing situation. Other members of the congregation are introduced and presented as suspects and I can honestly say that I was completely surprised by the final unmasking of the killer, who had me fooled along with everyone else.

I enjoyed the gentle love story within this murder mystery. (Married to a cop myself, I can really appreciate the male love interest.) I also really liked Pastor Hobbs – she is strong, funny, generous, and spiritual. Coda to Murder gave me several pleasant evenings of reading in bed. Nicely done!

Coda to Murder is available at 

MuseItUp Publishing

Amazon.com 

bn.com and major online booksellers.