WINGS ACROSS AMERICA NEWSLETTER MARCH, 2009
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THANK YOU, WASP!
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I was sincerely humbled by the WASP at their final reunion in Irving, Texas, when
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President Jan Goodrum and VP Dawn Seymour called me to the stage and presented
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me the “Spirit of Cochran Award.” Even more special is the language of the award:
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“For exemplifying the courage, persistence and indomitable, pioneering SPIRIT of
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Miss Jacqueline Cochran, founding Director of the Women Airforce Service Pilots,
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WWII...” Wow. That is overwhelming.
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I wanted to take this opportunity to thank ALL the WASP for this tremendous
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honor--with a special thanks to WASP Millie Dalrymple and WASP Shutsy Reynolds.
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I consider my years volunteering to share the history of the WASP--first as web
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designer for WASP on the WEB, as Director of Wings Across America, as the
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Founding Director and creator of the WASP Museum, and most recently the designer
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of the Fly Girls of WWII Exhibit, as the most rewarding and enriching of my life. My
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journey has been blessed with friendships, laughter, challenges, mountains and some
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molehills that sure looked big at the time. Through it all, I have been guided by God’s
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hand and my mother, the WASP’ gentle encouragement and partnership. Needless to
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say, I have never walked alone.
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I’ve been uplifted by all of you--your stories, your spirit and your humility. You
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continue to touch my life and inspire me in ways you could never imagine and to go
# % ' % & ' # % , % $ % # ' & . " beyond what is possible. Of course, like mom always says, “With God’s help, nothing
is impossible! “ May He continue to bless you all.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL
1. Is this for all the WASP or just the survivors? Once the bill passes, the medal will be awarded to all WASP or to
their surviving family members.
2. Will there be a ceremony? Yes. Customarily, the President of the United States awards the medal, with both
houses of Congress in attendance. He does this on behalf of the people of America and Congress.
3. Is this the same as the CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR? NO--that medal is a military award--the highest in
the land. This is the highest CIVILIAN honor that Congress can bestow.
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