The Heart of Texas Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America is asking for donations to help cover the costs when the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) travel to Washington, D.C., next month to receive the Congressional Gold Medal.
According to chapter officials, 100% of the funds raised will be used for the cost of the WASP individual medals, the costs of meals, transportation and other logistical support for the celebration, which is slated for March 10. All donations are tax-deductible.
“Nearly 70 years have passed since America fought in World War II,” officials say on the chapter’s website. “In those critical days over 1,000 courageous women pilots took to the skies in military aircraft for the United States Army Air Forces to relieve desperately needed male pilots for combat duty. These women pilots paid their own way to enter training, took up a collection to help pay for the expenses of burial when one of their peers was killed, and, when they were disbanded in 1944, they had to pay their own way back home. There were no honors, no benefits, and few thanks.”
The long-overdue ceremony will be held by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Republican Leader John Boehner, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and and other members of Congress. Legislation to support the WASP Congressional Gold Medal was co-sponsored by: Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), and Representative Susan Davis (D-Calif.).
“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 World War II will be remembered for their dedicated efforts and unwavering service to our country in the fight for freedom.”
You can donate online or send a check made payable to: HOT Chapter MOAA-WASP, c/o Harold Rafuse, 111 Laurel Oaks Lane, Crawford, Texas, 76638. Include a name and address for the tax receipt.
For more information: FlyGirls.org
