On Tuesday, the U.S. House passed a bill allowing Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), the female pilots from World War Two, to be honored at Arlington National Cemetery.
With the Department of the Amy determining WASPs were not eligible for their remains to be inured at Arlington, U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., introduced the “Women Airforce Service Pilot Arlington Inurnment Restoration Act” back in January. Two Republicans from Florida--U.S. Reps. Carlos Curbelo and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen--were original co-sponsors.
The measure passed the House on Tuesday on a 385-0 vote. It now heads to the Senate.
Back in 2009, Ros-Lehtinen introduced a bill awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to WASPs. On Tuesday, she honored the WASPs again.
“In a time of great global conflict, and without hesitation, many brave women answered the call of duty and made a substantial contribution to our nation’s defense,” Ros-Lehtinen said. “These World War II female pilots served our nation valiantly and deserve to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, an honor that is bestowed upon many of their fellow servicemembers. There is nothing we can do to fully repay their service and sacrifice for our country, but this small measure of gratitude is one honor we can offer these heroes. It is my sincere hope that we do what is right and give these women pioneers the recognition they are due.”
Other members of the Florida delegation who co-sponsored the bill were Republican U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis, David Jolly, John Mica, Rich Nugent, Bill Posey, Dennis Ross, Tom Rooney and Ted Yoho and Democrats U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch, Lois Frankel, Alan Grayson, Patrick Murphy and Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
While he did not co-sponsor the bill, from his perch as chairman of the U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee, U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., cheered its passage on Tuesday.
“This bill will ensure that Active Duty Designees, including Women Airforce Service Pilots, will be eligible for inurnment with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, a distinction they have earned,” Miller said. “In light of Women’s History Month, it’s more important than ever to recognize the instrumental service of the WASPs during World War II. I encourage my Senate colleagues to move forward with this legislation and get it to the president’s desk in a timely manner.”
More than 25,000 women applied to be WASPs during the war but less than 1,100 were accepted and 38 died in the line of duty, all in accidents. WASPs served in more than 100 posts during the war. While they were in the civilian service under the Army Air Forces during the war, WASPs were designated as veterans in 1977.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
