WASP Fight for Equal Treatment at Arlington National Cemetery
Below is a sample letter for Congress. Congress now prefers email. You can get your lawmaker’s address by going to http://www.senate.gov/ or www.house.gov
Also, please write (or email) the sponsors of the 2000 Funeral Honors Law, as follows:
Gramm, Phil (R - TX)
370 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2934
phil_gramm@gramm.senate.gov
Hutchison, Kay Bailey (R - TX)
284 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5922
http://hutchison.senate.gov/e-mail.htm
PLEASE ACT TODAY
Dear Senator _______:
I am writing you about the inequitable and illegal treatment by Arlington National Cemetery towards Women Military Veterans of World War II.
Many women came to the service of the nation during World War II in the form of service in the Women Airforce Service Pilots, WASPs, Women Army Corps, WACs. It took the WASPs 35 years after being discharged to win veterans benefits. In 1977, Congress enacted public law 95-202 which granted the WASPs and other similar groups veterans status. In 1979, the Secretary of Defense determined that the service of the WASPs was considered active military service. In 2000 congress passed another law public law 106-65 that stated the minimum funeral honors to be afforded to any veteran, upon request. Apparently Arlington National Cemetery does not feel such congressional laws apply there. Arlington National Cemetery has decided that these women are ineligible for military honors afforded other World War II veterans.
Women veterans interred at Arlington National Cemetery apparently can receive a "No Honors" ceremony while male veterans receive military honors including an American flag, a rifle salute, and the playing of Taps. These women only receive the honors equivalent to an authorize spouse. Women veterans apparently are not entitled to the minimum honors established under congressional law with Arlington refusing to provide the authorized Veterans Administration American flag.
Today, there are an estimated 500 WASPs still alive of the original 1,047, most in their late 70s and 80s. Most believe that veterans rightfully receive the honors of a grateful nation for their service and the tribute they long-deserved for their service. It is difficult to imagine that the sponsors of this legislation intended that Arlington National Cemetery should treat these women with such inequity and disrespect. Even in death, these women veterans receive second-class treatment.
I am writing to ask for your help to require Arlington National Cemetery change its discriminatory policies toward the WASPs and other women veterans to be interred with "the thanks of a grateful nation" in the form of military honors at Arlington.
Sincerely,