Posted on 01/03/2016 1:57:22 PM PST by Kaslin
You sound like you know the difference, but It is important for us to explicitly note that WACs and WAVES were different from the WASPS.
WACs and WAVES were branches of the military, where WASPS were not. Thw WASP program was created to hire civilian women and train them to fly military planes from the manufacturer factories to various points around the continental USA where they were handed over to military personnel for use.
They were not military, and never were military.
We are in agreement on that...flying was still a dangerous business at that time, especially with many models of aircraft either at the cutting edge of design, or in the process of undergoing so many modifications that they might as well have been cutting edge.
I hope we never again have to see the courage and the opportunity for the country to come together for a war like that, but...being a student of history, I somehow feel we are going to get that “opportunity”, God help us.
“If the WASPs were given veteran status in 1977 and this occurred in 1980, then what is being used to deny them inurnment now? Someone has to be quoting some rule or regulation to block them.”
Perhaps no DD214 ?
That is all that the National Veterans’ Cemetery wanted when I dealt with them.
In WWII, being in the Merchant Marine was more dangerous than any service.
There was no military branch called “Airforce” during WWII. It was the Army Air Corps. WASPS were not part of the Army.
Also, some military pilots took their basic flight training from civilian flight instructors at civilian air fields (GHW Bush, for one). This was a similar program to release more military pilots to combat roles. There was a push in the 80’s, IIRC, to recognize these civilian instructors as vets, as well. I don’t think it passed.
Exactly
Actually Lee never owned the Arlington estate. Even though he and Mary lived there for close to thirty years, the estate belonged to G.W.P. Custis, Mary’s father. When he died in 1857, he left the estate to Mary, for the remainder of her life and then the estates was to pass to G.W.C Lee, Mary and Roberts oldest son. Colonel Lee was the executor of the estate per the Custis will.
I’ve made it known that I want to be buried in the one here in north Florida.
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Made it known how? You have to sign up for it. All you need is your D.D.214 & S.S. number, if married, show marriage license and spouse can be buried there too.
I post this info so other former military members may know too. Also anyone approaching S.S. retirement age, bring that D.D.214 with you to the S.S. office when you apply. It will add to your S.S. check.
Don’t be expecting a huge wind fall though. Four years active and it added $13 per month to my check.
I’d rather have it than not though.
Yes--those who were not drafted.
OTOH, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near Ted Kennedy nor the District of Corruption.
“How about National Cemeteries placed so that you are never more than 100 miles away from one? Iâve made it known that I want to be buried in the one here in north Florida.”
They have at least 4 veteran cemeteries in Texas.
Both occupations called for loads of courage and skills not often found among the common folk.
I expect that the MM suffered notably higher casualty rates than did WASPs and would not deny them an honored place in history. But the ladies wore the uniform, for peanut wages, all volunteers, and all challenging accepted stereotypes. They did it without GI or union benefits when they mustered out and likely suffered some degree of social stigma for making Rosie the Riveter look like a punk in the process.
Give them their due!
This country comes up with the most bizarre and useless decisions PATHETIC!
I am sure those gals were patriotic. I also bet they loved flying those planes.
However it does not even compare to making the Murmansk Run, some convoys losing many and at least one, losing most of their ships along with the Merchant Seamen on them.
I normally avoid citing Wikipedia as a source, but here is what it says about his military career (emphasis added)
Kennedy enlisted in the United States Army in June 1951, signing up for an optional four-year term, which was shortened to the minimum two years after his father intervened. Following basic training at Fort Dix in New Jersey, he requested assignment to Fort Holabird in Maryland for Army Intelligence training, but was dropped after a few weeks without explanation. He went to Camp Gordon in Georgia for training in the Military Police Corps. In June 1952, Kennedy was assigned to the honor guard at SHAPE headquarters in Paris, France. His father's political connections ensured that he was not deployed to the ongoing Korean War. While stationed in Europe, he traveled extensively on weekends and climbed the Matterhorn in Switzerland. He was discharged after 21 months in March 1953 as a private first class.Ted Kennedy From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia
Seems like the requirements were met.
Yeah, but Clinton and Obama will plant their political hacks there.
Better than their political enemies
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