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WASPs honored at annual homecoming |
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Written by Thomas Watson
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Thursday, 29 May 2008 |
Despite heavy rain this weekend, Sweetwater citizens came out in huge numbers to honor the women pilots of World War II at the 4th Annual WASP Homecoming Saturday night at Avenger Field. Visitors were able to meet five former WASPs, Betty Jo Reed, Flora Belle Reese, Ty Hughes-Killen, Mary "Putt" Vandeventer, and Dorothy Lucas, who were in attendance that night.
Evening events kicked off with a barbecue dinner provided by the Roscoe Volunteer Fire Department and music by the Sweetwater Municipal Band, during which guests were offered a brief history of the accomplishments and triumphs of the former WASPs in attendance
Major Bridget McNamara, the first female instructor at the B-1 weapons school at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, then introduced the guest speaker for the night, Major Nicole Malachowski.
Major Malachowski, the first woman pilot for the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Thunder-birds, spoke of the accomplishments of the WASPs and the influence they had on the future of women in aviation.
Malachowski said, "The WASPs are inextricably linked to our Air Force heritage, and without the WASPs, there is no doubt that women like Bridget and myself wouldn't be wearing this beautiful blue uniform that we worked so hard for, and the WASP worked so hard for, for so many years. For me, being here is really like a pilgrimage, and every single military woman aviator needs to visit this place sometime in their lifetime. So I want to thank everybody here at the WASP museum, Avenger Field, and of course, the town of Sweetwater, for allowing me my chance to come home, to have this pilgrimage and be a part of that continuing Air Force legacy and tradition."
Malachowski went on to say that for her, the WASPs are definitive of America.
"For me, they represent the values of powerful skill, grace, and duty. And at the end of the day, the women who are wearing the uniform today, are exactly like the WASPs of yesterday. They possess the same skill, grace, and duty."
After Malachowski's speech, State Rep. Susan King offered an invocation prayer for the night, thanking everyone in attendance and giving praise to the WASP members who were able to attend that night.
Mayor Greg Wortham then introduced Nolan County Judge Tim Fambrough, who read the names of the 39 WASPs who died in the service of their country, and afterwards, a moment of silence was held by all those in attendance.
Events concluded with a sunset flag ceremony (held indoors due to bad weather), followed by the playing of "Taps,"a famous musical piece associated with military flag ceremonies. |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 31 May 2008 )
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