Easter Sunday at Avenger Field, 1944

Holidays are tough to celebrate in wartime and Easter Sunday of 1944 was no different.  Most of the trainees were from parts of the country that were now in full bloom with spring flowers and beautiful trees.  In Sweetwater,  Texas, the snowstorms of February had melted and there was a hint of green peeking through the open landscape of West Texas.

The one constant was the wind, which  still blew as the trainees pushed thru to make up for the days playing in the snow, when planes were grounded.   Graduation was around the corner for class 44-W-3.   Temperatures were beginning to register just about perfect, with highs in the mid '70's.

Easter was coming!


The following article is reprinted from "THE AVENGER" Vol. 1, NO 15 published April 7, 1944: 

"SUNRISE SERVICE ON FLIGHT LINE EASTER MORNING"

    Trainees will observe Easter Sunday with a mass "sunrise service" on the flight line.  The service will begin shortly after 7 o'clock.  Arrangements are being made to broadcast the religious program over station KXOX, Sweetwater.

    A large chorus of WASP trainees will sing a number of religious songs.  Ellen Wimberly is directing musical selections and urges all trainees to participate.  Rehearsals began April 4.  The MRTC orchestra from Camp Barkeley will accompany the chorus.

    Rev. Ernest J. Werfelmann, Lutheran U.S.O. representative at Abilene, will conduct the services.
   
    The sunrise service is the first large-scale religious program of its kind conducted at Avenger Field. Mrs. Helen Shaw, Establishment Officer in charge, hopes for 100 percent participation from trainees.



The two digital photos are from mom's scrapbook.    Listed is "ANTHEM by the WASP Chorus."  What the program doesn't say is that the anthem was the HALLELUJAH CHORUS, sung, after many hours of rehearsal,  by the Trainee's Chorus! 

At the 50th Anniversary WASP Convention in 1992 at San Antonio, Texas, WASP Ellen Campbell

remembered that special Easter celebration.  WASP Deanie Parrish (mom) is heard introducing Ellen.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL THE WASP AND THEIR FAMILIES!

GOD BLESS YOU -- EVERY ONE.

From Nancy & Deanie Parrish in Waco, Texas