COOPER&BURNETT Posted March 16, 2010 Report Share Posted March 16, 2010 Today, I held my friends, 24k gold Congressional medal of honor. It is heavy!She just got it reciently (unfortunately, it was presented by Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid :thumbsdown:). Tom Brokaw was a speaker.She was a WASP ( Women Airforce Service Pilots) PILOT!She flew B-24 and B-17 bombers during WWII. The 1,074 WASP pilots during 1942-1944 were civilians who worked for the Army Air Corps, and flew the planes in the U.S. freeing up the male pilots to fight overseas in the war.When one died during service (38 were killed in accidents in the line of duty), the women wasp pilots themselves pulled money, or family paid for the funeral, as they were not military, so the military didn't pay for it. When the war was over, they paid thier own way home. They fought bigotry from the male pilots during that era. They were pioneers, they ferried the planes, and towed targets. They didn't get Veteran status until 1977.My friend FRANCIS, whom I've known for years, is 88 years old.I just watched it on C-SPAN on the internet.She is my hero. Thank you Francis for being my friend, sharing stories, photos, and letting me hold your gold medal.You will most certainly will be the only person I will ever know, or meet that has won the U.S.'s highest civilian award, the CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR.I honor you my friend. :fireworks:Thank you Francis for your service to this country.You were absolutely part of the "GREATEST GENERATION".Please take a minute to honor this true hero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maria714 Posted March 16, 2010 Report Share Posted March 16, 2010 Cooper, Thank You So Very Much for sharing this moment of your friend with us.I really do appreciate it.And to Mrs./Ms. Francis....Congratulations on receiving THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR.:clap: It is truly the HIGHEST AWARD given to civilians for their IMPORTANT ROLE in the service of Our Country. And I am thrilled that it was given to such a deserving person like you.THANK YOU MRS./MS. FRANCIS FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR GREAT NATION!!!!:clap::clap:It is people like you who make me PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN. THANK YOU!!!!:clap: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COOPER&BURNETT Posted March 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2010 If enough members post a congrats to Francis, I will print it out, and give it to her. Thanks Maria! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2morgen Posted March 16, 2010 Report Share Posted March 16, 2010 As a person living in a country wich was liberated by the ally forces I am Francis very gratefull for her work during the war. If there weren't people like her we might still live in fear!We should cherish people like Francis!Congratulations with your medal of honor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COOPER&BURNETT Posted March 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2010 Thank you 2morgen for taking a minute to offer your thanks to a hero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyn Posted March 16, 2010 Report Share Posted March 16, 2010 Congratulations Francis! I’m from the same country as 2morgen so I know exactly what she means. My Jewish stepfather found it to his cost what a horrible time it was then. Thanks to people like Francis he survived. RESPECT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COOPER&BURNETT Posted March 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2010 Thank you marilyn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frey Posted March 16, 2010 Report Share Posted March 16, 2010 Thank you Francis for serving our country. Without brave people like you, we wouldn't have a country. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! :clap: :clap: :clap: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COOPER&BURNETT Posted March 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 Thanks Frey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJAngel Posted March 17, 2010 Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 Congratulations to Francis:clap:And all who serve the U.S. honorably, no matter what political affiliation they have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COOPER&BURNETT Posted March 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 Thank you DJAngel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cageyJG Posted March 17, 2010 Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 Hello my friend,Believe you are referring to the Congressional Gold Medal.Quite nice about the WASPs being honored this way. I remember the Tuskegee Airmen and the Navajo Codetalkers being similarly recognized. There is no better way to experience history than to hear it from a primary source! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COOPER&BURNETT Posted March 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 Thanks CageyJG. Actually the medal is the civilian version, and it's the highest civilian award the U.S. issues. And yes, it is a congressional gold metal. I believe during the ceremony, it was refered to as THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR which is one and the same (I think it's also written on the medal) She is extremely humble, and a hero.Thanks members for saying something nice, if it continues, I will print these pages out, and she will personally read your comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whoa Posted March 17, 2010 Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 Thank her for her service, she is a part of the greatest generation! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COOPER&BURNETT Posted March 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 Thanks Whoa, she's going to read your comments! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinger390X Posted March 17, 2010 Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 Well deserved Francis.From the Buffalo Soldiers to the Tuscegee Airmen and countless others, America seems to forget or neglect to honour those who do good for the country. They seem to be only focused on the few, mostly white anglo saxon heritage, and who wear the uniform of the military. Visible minorities and women are sadly forgotten.Cudos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COOPER&BURNETT Posted March 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 Thanks Stinger, she's going to like reading that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Posted March 17, 2010 Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 In WW2 Finland was officially the enemy of the allied forces due to the circumstances back then. Nevertheless, I want to congratulate you on your achievement! You guys participating in the war in europe was truly an insightful action to make and it really made a diffrence. Thank you for stabilizing things here, you really deserve your medal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COOPER&BURNETT Posted March 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2010 Thanks Jimmy, you have class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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