Jeff B., one of my longtime friends lives in Arizona and loves to send me e-mails that he thinks will be of interest to me. It’s not unusual for him to send me 10 e-mails in one day.

Recently, one in particular jumped out at me. This e- mail had to do with the 2014 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. On the 125th Anniversary of this traditional parade, there was one float that was outstanding. Although I did not see the parade, I was told that there was a float to honor the WASPS (Women Air Force Service Pilots of WWII).

Attached to the e-mail was the history of these brave women and their contributions to the United States.

I’ve heard stories about the WACS (Women’s Army Corps Service) and someone mentioned to me the Navy equivalent of the WACS, the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service).

As I read the history of the WASPS, I was very impressed but also very dismayed that they did not get the respect or recognition that they deserve until much later.

In 1942 there was an experimental program which trained female pilots for domestic duty. This program was instituted because men were needed to fight overseas. Women were needed to go to plants, factories or to military bases to pick up certain planes and deliver them to where they were needed.

Some of the places they had to fly into included deserts and oil fields. In 1943, 25,000 women applied for the WASP program. Just under 2000 were chosen for training, just over 1000 served.

They flew military aircraft with over 60 million miles logged. Some of the aircraft they flew included bombers and transports. They also flew weather flights and chauffeured military brass throughout the country.

These women were test pilots for the new planes that came out. They also flew planes for target practice for the male pi- lots to practice their shooting.

This is just a few of the tidbits taken from the e-mail. To find out more about the WASP program, check out the web- site http://wingsacrossameri- ca.us/wasp/

President Jimmy Carter with the help of the late Senator Barry Goldwater awarded the WASPS military status in 1977 making them eligible for Veterans’ benefits. The surviving WASP members were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony at the Capitol in 2010. It was long overdue.

– Carolyn M.