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P070109PS-0623

P070109PS-0623 by The White House.
WASP pilot Bernice Falk Haydu pulls back the chair of President Barack Obama after signing S.614, a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots, in the Oval Office Wednesday, July 1, 2009. At far left is WASP pilot Elaine Danforth Harmon, and at right is Lorraine H. Rodgers. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) is at right in green. Current US Air Force pilots are in the background. Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) was established during World War II, and from 1942 to 1943, more than a thousand women joined, flying sixty million miles of non-combat military missions. Of the women who received their wings as Women Airforce Service Pilots, approximately 300 are living today. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

This official White House photograph is being made available for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way or used in materials, advertisements, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House. 

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-fCh- says:

Look, I don't get to choose who's piloting my Airforce One!
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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WinaVD  Pro User  says:

Those are sound look like Obama is her "Idol"..............very nice moment shot!
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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Ms. Aarika  Pro User  says:

Great! Ditto Wina ;)
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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BlueisCoool  Pro User  says:

Flickr Star
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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puck90  Pro User  says:

a good time was had by all
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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vini.floripa says:

Cool.
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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Michael Dawes  Pro User  says:

-Well done to all....-
Discovered using FlickrFox. (?)
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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BobButcher  Pro User  says:

The major on the far right looks like Nicole Malachowski, the first female Thunderbird pilot.
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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pjpohly says:

www.everydaycitizen.com/2008/05/still_my_fall en_hero_fly_...

Mabel Rawlinson was one of the 38 WASP that made the ultimate sacrifice and she definitely deserves the congressional medal.

It was at Camp Davis on the night of August 23, 1943, that Mabel lost her life when her airplane crashed and was consumed by flames. She became one of the very special women, numbering only thirty-eight, who served and died as pilots for the Air Force in World War II.

Since WASP were technically considered volunteer civilian pilots and not Air Force pilots, no monetary compensation was available to the Rawlinson family for her funeral expenses.

The other female pilots at Camp Davis pooled their extra money and assisted in the expense of transporting Mabel’s casket back to Kalamazoo for burial.

Read the whole story about this fallen hero here:

www.everydaycitizen.com/2008/05/still_my_fall en_hero_fly_...
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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HADVEZER  Pro User  says:

These are amazing people!; a national treasure!
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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boeke  Pro User  says:

@BobButcher : Her nametag is visible in the previous picture. You are correct. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicole_Malachowski
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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sealaska  Pro User  says:

Impressive! Nice post, thank you!
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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*Kid*Doc*One*  Pro User  says:

What a lovely shot.
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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FramaKIRK  Pro User  says:

That's incredible. I've always wondered how the gender lines were when it came to military flying. Do anyone of these women do Fighter or bomber flying? I'd like to hear a woman's perspective on flying missions as a combat pilot. I do believe the difference would not be much. But I'm interested.... in the conversation.

Frama!
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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666isMONEY ☮ & ♥  Pro User  says:

An inspiration to women everywhere! (Who says women can't drive?!)
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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cjbrenchley says:

While Obama's actions are commendable, WASP's should be given full military honors. They served like everyone else, but are not given access to the VA, and have no right to a military funeral.
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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letigredepapier says:

obama sempre me liga
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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Cam Vilay  Pro User  says:

Air Force, represent!
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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Tony Crescibene  Pro User  says:

Let's roll !
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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av84fn says:

The WASP have had veteran's status since 1977. In 1977, the WASP took their case to receive status as official World War II veterans to Congress. They faced strong opposition from many veteran groups. No group of wartime civilians had ever been granted veteran status in America, and many felt it "demeaned" the service of those who had actively served in WWII, although the WASP training and service is almost indistinguishable from the men, except for service overseas. The first WASP veterans bill had been defeated in the House late in 1976. In 1977 Senator Barry Goldwater introduced a bill "..deeming such service to have been active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States for purposes of laws administered by the Veterans Administration." Among other supporters were Congresswoman Lindy Boggs, mother of TV's Cokie Roberts, Asst. Sec'y of the AF Antonia Chayes, and Bruce Arnold, son of Gen. Hap Arnold. Rep. Margaret Heckler helped the new WASP bill to be the only piece of legislation in history to be co-sponsored by every woman member of Congress. During Senate hearings on that bill, the strong opposition by veterans groups became clear. After 10 months of emotional debate, the Senate bill passed on Nov 4, 1977. But there was no joyous Oval Office ceremony for the WASP that year. Days later, and with no fanfare, President Carter signed the bill giving veterans status for the Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII. Yesterday, the WASP finally got their signing ceremony and overdue recognition. The book "Those Wonderful Women in Their Flying Machines" by Sally Keil, will tell you the rest of the story.
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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Corinne Fudge  Pro User  says:

Love this shot - beautifully lit. I bet the poor lad felt intimidated in such prestigious company!
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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SLH Photography 2009  Pro User  says:

All eyes are on the President. This was along time coming, but it's a proud day for all the WASP's.
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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Beth Wales  Pro User  says:

Happy Independence Day, America.
Have a good holiday folks.
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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WingsofDreams.org says:

Wings of Dreams.org is a start up aviation museum/warbird restoration center that participated in the Air Race Classic two weeks ago. Bee Haydu was on board our race plane the entire 2,700 mile race! Honoring WASP and Aces/combat airmen is a significant part of our educational mission. We organized an airshow at 42J Keystone Heights, FL and had 7 WASP there and 6 aces! See our website Wingsofdreams.org for sponsorship details to honor these great american hero's.
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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