WASHINGTON D.C. (WKZO) It’s taken over 50 years and it comes too late for many. With all the pomp you would expect from a Washington Ceremony, The WASPS, the Women Air Force Service Pilots, were given the Congressional Gold Medal yesterday for their Service during World War Two.
At the time, they did their duty and were dismissed at the end of the war, and never even considered military veterans until the late 70’s. Among the 11 hundred who served in the WASPS was Suzanne Parish of Kalamazoo. Deanie Parrish (no relation) spoke for the WASPS at the event.
They were aviators flying planes from plants to bases and serving as test pilots. Only 300 of them survive. Suzanne Parish is a co-founder of the Air Zoo who used to fly the Pink Curtis P-38 that now hangs in the lobby of the Museum on Portage Road.
