News

New Board Members

The Founder and President of Women in Aviation, International, Dr. Peggy Chabrian www.wai.org joined the Board of Directors of the National WASP WWII Museum in January of 2010, along with five other notable individuals willing to give their time and energy to support the efforts of the museum in reaching its goals. New board member, Amy Goodpaster Strebe www.amygoodpasterstrebe.com is a resident of San Diego, California, author of Flying for Her Country: The American and Soviet Women Military Pilots of World War II and Desert Dogs: The Marines of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The other outstanding individuals joining the Board of Directors are Texans Lana Kraeszig, pilot and 99 member; Tom Henderson, rancher and community volunteer; Larry Ludlum, owner of Ludlum Industries. New on the Advisory Board is award-winning actor and director, Dennis Quaid.

Major Bridget McNamara, USAF

Serving our country as a B-1 Bomber pilot and instructor, while serving on the Board of Directors of the museum, Major McNamara shares the story of the WASP at any opportunity she has partly because she credits the WASP with opening the door to women pilots in the military. Go to this link for an interesting interview with Major McNamara:
http://www.maxwellgunterdispatch.com/article/20100115/
DISPATCH01/100115011/1114/DISPATCH

Fundraising for Expansion Project Underway!

A climate-controlled addition is needed at the National WASP WWII Museum to preserve the many precious artifacts and display them properly. Great progress has been made in the last five years bringing Hangar One alive with the WASP story, but there is still much to be done. The legacy these courageous women left us must be shared with all generations. We have a great story to tell and we need to keep moving forward, improving upon what has been accomplished, and we need your support!

Helen Case Kennedy WASP 44-9 Exemplified the “Will Do Spirit” of the WASP

Go to this link to view the obituary of a WASP who continued to contribute to the world around her after her service to her country in WWII was ended:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/lvrj/obituary.aspx?n=helen-cannon&pid=138515286

Congressional Gold Medals Presentation

On Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 11:00 a.m., the WASP will receive their Congressional Gold Medals in the Rotunda of the National Capitol Building. With the large contingency of WASP and family members expected, the event will spill over to adjoining rooms. This fine moment in history will be celebrated with receptions before and after the presentation.

In a record-setting 3 months, Congress passed Public Bill 111-40 awarding the WASP the gold medal for their unselfish, extraordinary service in WWII. The surviving WASP will be invited to Washington, D.C. on March 10, 2010 to receive their medals which are being minted at this time. One family member of each deceased WASP will be awarded the medal also. One medal will be place in the Smithsonian Museum. The 65 year wait for proper recognition for these pioneers of flight has ended in a celebration of their contribution to our country. The presentation will appropriately coincide with Women in History Month.

Congressman Mike Conaway Speaking about the WASP Congressional Gold Medal

Click on this link to see and hear Congressman Mike Conaway giving his speech in support of the WASP Congressional Gold Medal.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_Zy4pv8Row