Jane Dyer For Congress |

Today in Washington, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) received their much overdue Congressional Gold Medal, one of America’s highest civilian honors. These women were finally recognized for their tremendous contribution to our military success in WWII.

I stand humbly on their shoulders.  As a female Air Force Pilot from 1981-1988, I owe my aviation career to these courageous women.  For every road we travel, there are those who cleared the path for us.

“The Women Airforce Service Pilots courageously answered their country’s call in a time of need while blazing a trail for the brave women who have given and continue to give so much in service to this nation since,” President Obama commented. “Every American should be grateful for their service.”

According to ABC News, of the more than 50,000 women who applied, only 1,830 were accepted and 1,074 graduated from the training program. These women were stationed at 120 army air bases around the world. Their duties involved everything from ferrying planes to training fighter pilots to chemical missions, but they were barred from taking part in actual combat.

During my Air Force days at Laughlin Air force Base, TX, we were invited to join the WASP at a reunion luncheon for all the women who flew in West Texas.

The most amazing story I heard was from a pilot who lived in the Northeast.  When her children had grown and were just finishing college, they took a trip to San Antonio.  She gave them the name of a dear old friend of hers to look up.  They were able to locate the woman in the phone book and stopped in to see her.

During the course of the conversation, the old friend referred to their flying days during WWII.  The grown children were sure that their Mother had never flown an airplane. The old friend assured them that their mother had indeed been a WASP.

The children returned home to question their Mother.  She admitted that she had flown during WWII as a WASP but had never mentioned it in deference to her husband’s wishes.

Remarkable women with remarkable stories.  Sixty-six years is a long time to wait, but may each of those still living revel in the pride we have of our Women Airforce Service Pilots.  I personally thank them not only for their service, but also for clearing the path for me.

Recently, while I was in the midst of my workday routine (flying, sleeping, eating), I received an email from my stepson who is serving his second tour in Afghanistan. I was solemnly reminded of the high cost of war.

My stepson described the procedure when the soldiers are notified of the loss of their fellow servicemen.

At the airfield, the coffins of the fallen are moved across the tarmac to the aircraft that will carry their bodies’ home.

The date and time of this procession along the flight line are posted.  Hundreds of service men and women line the path as they pay their final respects to our brave heroes.

As we carry on our everyday lives, let’s not forget our brave men and women fighting on our behalf.  Let’s remember those that have fallen — the high price they paid, the personal loss to the families, and their commitment to our freedom and security.  It is the very least we can do.

“ One small step for man, one giant step for mankind.”

That statement by Astronaut Neil Armstrong as he became the first human on the moon signified the culmination of an entire decade of American scientific commitment.

Where is our commitment today? What kind of large scientific goal are we pursuing?

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Martin Luther King dreamed of a country where there was no discrimination, where we truly loved our neighbors and even our enemies, a country where we fought poverty and stood up for what is right.

More than forty years later, we have made great strides toward his dream, most markedly the election of our first African-American President.  But we still have a long way to go.

While minorities are more respected, prejudice still lingers.  Because of that prejudice, many Americans fight every day against poverty, homelessness, and hunger.

We have much to do to honor Dr. King.  We must develop a true respect for all of our people.   We must eliminate poverty by providing good jobs in manufacturing tomorrow’s energy solutions.  We must fight against the power of money and greed by supporting those who will stand up for what is right.

As we celebrate the memory of Dr. King, let us all start believing in the dream that makes us Americans.  We must not only believe in this dream but work together to create it.

Regardless of how difficult times are, there are gifts that we can give that don’t cost anything.  These are the gifts of joy, peace and hope.
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