House of Representatives update--S.614

ONE HUNDRED THREE REPRESENTATIVES HAVE SIGNED ON TO CO-SPONSOR THE BILL, WHICH HAS NOT YET BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE! The bill will have a different number, but it is the same bill. THANK YOU to these representatives who have signed on to honor the WASP! STAY ENGAGED--will still need 191 co-sponsors in the House and 29 co-sponsors in the Senate.

Why WASP?

After being privileged to videotape the interviews of over 100 WASP, I can say without hesitation that there is no one single reason these incredible women paid their own way to enter AAF flight training. Every WASP is different and every WASP had her own motivations.

However on this day, this anniversary of the surrender of American troops on Bataan to the Japaneese, one WASP story stands alone: Catherine McBride "Kay" D'Arezzo.

It was on this day in 1942 that Kay's husband, West Point graduate, US Army Captain Al D'Arezzo, was ordered to surrender and give up his gun. It was on this day that he began an horrific journey of incredible cruelty, surviving with uncommon courage, sacrifice and sheer will. It was on this day that Kay decided to do 'just a little more.' She wanted to contribute MORE to the war effort: more than air raid warden, more than volunteer fireman and ambulance driver. Kay decided the best way to help Al was to learn to fly and then apply for the WASP. She had never flown an airplane in her life. That didn't seem to be a problem for Kay. She figured if she flew, she could help the war end more quickly and bring Al home.

On this day, in 1942, lives changed forever.

In honor of Al and of Kay, I post the following short video. From this one clip, you will know all there is to know about Al--at least the important part, when you hear him answer the question, 'What is your favorite word?'



Al is gone. Kay is gone. But the freedom they sacrificed for still remains. We honor them and those who served by remembering. We hold them both in our hearts and in our prayers, on this day.

One WASP

GeoTagged, [N31.54100, E97.11432]

Here she is... Mom, who set the bar so high, I will eventually have to learn to fly just to reach it.

Support S.614!

Update -- S.614

Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) joined the WASP bill today as the 38th co-sponsor. We now need only 29 Senators.

Calling all supporters--if your Senator is not on the list, it is because HE has not heard the merits of the bill---if he had, how could he NOT add his name to the co-sponsor list.

CHECK THIS LIST:

TEXAS
*Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX)
John Cornyn (R-TX)

MARYLAND
*Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
Benjamin Cardin (D-MD)

ALASKA
Lisa Murkowski (R-AK )
Mark Begich (D-AK)

ARKANSAS
Mark Pryor (D-AR)
Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)

CALIFORNIA
Diane Feinstein (D-CA)
Barbara Boxer (D-CA)

CONNETICUT
Joe Lieberman (I-CT)

DELAWARE
Edward Kaufman (D-DE)

GEORGIA
Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)
ILLINOIS
Roland Burris (D-IL)

IOWA
Tom Harkin (D-IA)
KANSAS
Sam Brownback (R-KS)

LOUISIANA
Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
David Vitter (R-LA)

MAINE
Olympia Snow (R-ME)
Susan Collins (R-ME)

MICHIGAN
Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
MISSISSIPPI
Thad Cochran (R-MS)

MINNESOTA
Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

MISSOURI
Claire McCaskill (D-MO)
Chris Bond (R-MO)

MONTANA
Max Baucus (D-MT)
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)

NEW YORK
Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Charles Schumer (D-NY)

NORTH CAROLINA
Kay Hagan (D-NC)

OHIO
Sherrod Brown (D-OH)

OKLAHOMA
James Inhofe (R-OK)
Tom Coburn (R-OK)

OREGON
Ron Wyden (D-OR)
TENNESSEE
Lamar Alexander (R-TN)

WASHINGTON
Patty Murray (D-WA)
Maria Cantwell (D-WA)

WEST VIRGINIA
Robert Byrd (D-WV)

S.614 Central (Texas)

Good morning from S.614 central--at least Central Texas!

To your left, you will see the emblem of the CENTRAL FLYING TRAINING COMMAND for the AAF WWII. Emblazoned at the bottom: UT VIRI VOLENT--which means, "THAT MEN MAY FLY." It is a perfect motto for the command--and for the WASP who flew the missions for the training command.

Many WASP were part of this command in WWII, flying training missions--whether it was to tow a target behind their aircraft and prepare for the gunners in another aircraft to 'practice' using live ammunition, or to flying young men learning to be bombardiers and navigators, to flying simulated straffing and radar tracking missions. The WASP flew them all.

They were unique. They were patriotic. They were courageous. They were selfless. They deserve our thanks and our support.

We are now pulling out the stops, emailing our friends and supporters to encourage LETTERHEAD participation and support for Congressional Bill S-614.

National organizations carry much weight, and, after the Easter break, the Congress will be back at it. They need to KNOW about this bill. Adding the names of major companies and organizations will help shine a brighter light in every direction!!

If you are a member of an organization who has not yet endorsed this bill, please encourage them to do so. It is the right thing to do-- for all the right reasons!

God bless,

nancy