QUOTES

QUOTES about the WASP

"The WASP were and still are my role models."
Col. Eileen Collins, USAF (ret) and NASA Astronaut

"We have to honor the accomplishments and courage of the Women Airforce Service Pilots. People think it is great that these women were flying fighter aircraft 60 years ago. It is not remarkable because they were women. It is remarkable because they were there in defense of the free world and helped bring our country and allies to victory. It was the dedication of the WASP that paved the way…I know I was able to be a woman fighter pilot…and a woman Thunderbird pilot because of them.”
Major Nicole Malachowski, USAF (First Female Thunderbird Demonstration Team Pilot)

"You and more than 900 of your sisters have shown that you can fly wingtip to wingtip with your bothers. If ever there was any doubt in anyone's mind that women can become skillful pilots, the WASP have dispelled that doubt. I want to stress how valuable I believe the whole WASP program has been for the country. . .We . . .know that you can handle our latest fighters, our heaviest bombers; we. . . know that you are capable of ferrying, target towing, flying training, test flying, and the countless other activities which you have proved you can do. So, on this last graduation day, I salute you and all WASP. We of the Army Air Force are proud of you, we will never forget our debt to you.
Hap Arnold, Commanding General, USAF Last Graduation of WASP, 1944
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“Let us acknowledge the measure of their sacrifice by honoring them as brave women, and by honoring them as women who served without thought of glory which we accord to heroes of battle. The service pilot faces the risk of death without the emotional inspiration of combat.Men who battle in the sky have the grim, triumphant knowledge that their bombs and bullets are destroying the enemy, and their courage is sustained by the emotions of conflict. These women have given their lives in the performance of arduous and exacting duties without beingable to see and feel the final results of their work under the quickening influence of aerial action. They have demonstrated a courage which is sustained not by the fevers of combat, but the steady heartbeat of faith—a faith in the rightness of our cause, and a faith in the importance of their work to the men who do go into combat. Let us pay tribute to these women by honoring their memory . . . Let us treasure their memory as women whose sacrifice has brought honor not only to their country,
but also to their organization.

We shall not forget the accomplishments of our women fliers and their contributions to the fulfillment of our mission. And we shall always keep and remember
the brave heritage of the women who gave their lives.
It is the heritage of faith in victory and faith in the ultimate freedom of humanity.”
General Barton K. Yount, Commanding General, Training Command, Army Air Force

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"One of the proudest things I've ever done in my whole life was to be associated with the WASP as you were flying in World War II. I've often recounted the stories of your flying, how much I enjoyed flying with you, and how much reliance, and confidence in your ability as pilots, I placed in all of you, and still do."
Barry Goldwater, Senator, Arizona -- May 5, 1994

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"I am proud to recognize the contribution the WASP made to World War II. They set the stage for today's women to fly and fight with their spirit and enthusiasm. These heroines...heard the call and responded with the skills and dedication that gave out country the boost it needed to win World War II"|
Sheila Widnall, Secretary of the Air Force....May 30, 1994

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"It has been 50 years since you and I and all Americans struggled together to rescue freedom from those who would take it away. Though we worked in different ways toward that common end, every effort was an important one. That is certainly true of the Women Airforce Service Pilots. Thank you for your dedicated efforts on the home front to make our work successful on the battlefront."
James H. Doolittle, General, USAF July 15, 1993

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"I have the utmost respect for all members of the Women's Air Force Pilots. They were hard working, dedicated pilots who served our country well, playing an important part during the war."
Chuck Yeager, Brig. Gen., USAF, Ret. March 26, 1997

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"These ladies have taught me ever so much...They have reached out and touched me as a child, as a teenager, as a college student, as a young woman...How many people do you think would pay their own way to go serve their country and fight for freedom? The WASP did it. And they serve as an example for all of us. They taught me that women can do anything they really want to do if it's the right thing to do..and you put your mind to it..they have been a remarkable inspiration for so many of us."
Janet Reno, U.S. Attorney General -- May 23, 1993

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"I hope all the WASP present and past will fly high on wings of our pride in their service...you have my profound gratitude for the legacy you have given to us and the legacy you pass on to young women today."
Ann Richards, Governor of Texas -- May 23, 1993

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PRE WASP QUOTE FROM FIRST LADY, ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

"The CAA says that women are psychologically not fitted to be pilots but I see pictures every now and then of women who are teaching men to fly. We know that in England, where the need is great, women are ferrying planes and freeing innumerable men for combat service.
It seems to me that in the civil air patrol and in our own ferry command women, if they can pass the tests imposed upon our men, should have an equal opportunity for noncombat service.
I believe in this case, if the war goes on long enough and women are patient, opportunity will come knocking at their doors. However, there is just a chance that this is not a time when women should be patient. We are in a war and we need to fight it with all our ability and every weapon possible. Women pilots, in this particular case, are a weapon waiting to be used. As my correspondent says: “I think it is time you women spoke up for yourselves and undertook a campaign to see that our 3500 women fliers, everyone of whom is anxious to do something in the war, be given a chance to do it.” Hence I am speaking up for the women fliers, because I am afraid we cannot afford to let the time slip by just now without using them."

SEPTEMBER 1, 1942: “MY DAY” by Eleanor Roosevelt. (syndicated column)