Sep 25 2008
Mission Accomplished!
Just before 8 am this morning, September 25th, 2008 – 42 WASP and their escorts arrived at Alliance Airport….eager, excited, and happy to be going back!
After unloading from the buses, everyone found their airplanes and got all set to go up in the air. Each WASP had an escort or 2 with them. I had the pleasure and honor of spending the day with Ms. Ruth Guhse (44-10) as her escort … what a privelege to get to know these women on a personal level.
The airplanes were timed to go up one at a time at one minute intervals, with the slower planes first, followed by the faster planes (B-25 & DC-3). What a ride!! =)
All that could be seen upon arrival at Avenger Field were grins and for the organizers, that was the biggest reward – that these women were happy!
Everyone gradually made their way over to visit the wishing well and then headed over to Hangar One – The National WASP WWII Museum where there was lunch set up in their honor. The surprise of the afternoon was the fly over of the B1 – right over our heads! After lunch was the recognition of the pilots, sponsors, and donors, followed by a presentation put together by the Dyess Air Force officers. This was followed by a wing exchanging between the WASP and the Dyess Air Force group, in which each WASP received Air Force wings and each Air Force member received WASP wings- a kind of passing down of the legacy of women pilots.
After the group photo, it was time to load the shuttles and head back to the planes to return to Alliance. Ruth and I came over on the B-25 and rode back on the DC-3 – both were totally awesome and amazing trips. The AT-6s flew formation on the way back to Alliance which afforded Cindy Weisner and her mother, Sylvia Burrill the once in a lifetime opportunity to fly in formation together – mother & daughter!
Again – from the time we left the hotel to the moment we returned, there were grins from ear to ear. Some of the comments overheard were “I just can’t believe they did this all for us”… “they went to so much trouble and expense… for us!”…”this was so unbelievable and amazing”
In our opinion, after the 30+ years of the WASP not being recognized, they need and deserve all the recognition that they can get, along with todays service men and women – after all, they were back then and continue to be the ones that protect this beautiful country we live in.
On a final note – if you’re a WASP, KOW, FOW – PLEASE post your comments about the event! We want to here the reactions — all of them! This web site is going to be a living documentation of Operation Fifinella and will continue to stay up until….forever! =)
Thank you for the best day of our lives!
Lisa
What a wonderful story. My mother, Frances McInerney, was one of the original WASP’s who ended up marrying my father, Pierce Warms, the pilot who taught her to fly! He later flew the Hump during the war while mother began our family of baby boomers. Mother passed away in 1994 but I am sure she would have loved to have been present for this very special event. Special thanks to all the women and men who helped put this event together.
Having Betty Wall, aka Liz Strohfus, assigned to my aircraft was winning the proverbial lottery. Despite intercom difficulties, we enjoyed two wonderful flights and some quality captain-copilot time aloft.
It was her day, and I didn’t confess the personal nature of my involvement. You see, my Uncle Dave lied about his age in ‘42 and found himself in an LST off the coast of Normandy in time for the big event there. As an officer of the LST Association years later, he’d invite his nephew “Andy” along to their events, partly on the weight of us both sharing the same highly unusual formal name of his dad, Norris, with the same middle initial: “the only two Norris D. Shanes alive!”
Sadly, that fact was altered last year, as his huge heart gave way and the booming voice seared into my mind since early childhood forever silenced.
In Betty, and so many of these wonderful veterans lives the spirit of Dave, a strong and vibrant common thread woven through an entire generation. At once wild and sedate, reckless and cautious, sucking in life with deep gulps. They come at you with outstretched arms, leap on you, want to hear your story and see life through your lens. Having been to the edge, having faced down a terrible menace at the cost of countless friends, it is their mission to cherish every moment. And, they sure do, with breathtaking enthusiasm!
Just a few hours in the presence of these amazing women inspired and fortified me.
And, brought back a little bit of Dave.
My deepest gratitude for allowing me the privilege of spending time with them.
Norris D. “Andy” Shane
Former USAF KC-135A Pilot, Instructor, 1978-1988
I just wanted to say, how wonderful it was for all of you to arrange/assist for all these fine ladies to get back to Avenger field. I first learned of the WASP from a PBS program that aired around 2000. I was very intrigued and enlightened at the capabilities of these young women. They were definitely the best of the best. I have recently been reading all the information I can find about the WASP. The majority of them seem to have lived very fulfilling lives. I am saddened by the fact that they are all nearing the end of the circle of life. What a great generation of people, and what a talented group of women they were/are. I had my solo flight on the 10th of this month, and I have always had a love of flight. I am very glad that some of these ladies got to keep flying for the majority of their lives, and to hear how happy they were to fly back into Avenger field. That was truly a special moment, and all those involved in it will certainly be blessed, if not from just witnessing the happiness on their faces, then a touch from God later on. Thank you for the awesome website,
Tony Harmon
This was the single most wonderful day of my life (besides the day I married my husband)! These women are my true heroes – their courage, commitment, sense of adventure and duty to country have no comparison except to the women that serve today.
I was honored to fly with three of them – Bee Haydu, Ruth Guhse and Lillian Yonally – on Thursday in the B25. It was also such a wonderful privilege to share the day with Ruth (I was her escort for the day)! I am still wearing my Operation Fifinella wings that we were given as part of the event. — WOW! I flew with not one WASP – but 3!!!
Working on this project (as the web designer) and helping to bring smiles to these women’s faces was something I will never forget. Everyone was just beaming with joy after their flights! I thank these women for unforgettable memories, for serving our country and for being a true role models for young women – inspiration, and encouragement to be whatever we want to be!
And to those whose idea this was in the first place… Cindy Weisner and Susan King – without dreams where would we be! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to these women! I know they will never forget this day of flight back to Avenger Field and neither will I!