WASPs win fight for Arlington National Cemetery burial rights
ARLINGTON, Va. (ABC7) — Terry Harmon accepted the flag, sitting next to her three siblings.
“It was my mother’s last wish to have her ashes laid to rest here at Arlington National Cemetery with military honors,” said Harmon.
This family stood up and fought for Elaine Harmon’s dying wish.
“She also instructed us not to make a fuss. But I thank everyone here today for making a fuss,” said Harmon.
The fuss changed the law.
Elaine Harmon, described as feisty, brave, and patriotic, was one of just over 1,000 Women Airforce Service Pilots during World War II. They were known as WASPs, and they were the wing women for the men fighting overseas.
“Initially trying to get the WASP program set up at all was a fight. And then trying to get them included into the military was another fight,” Tiffany Miller, Harmon’s granddaughter.
The Army took away the right for WASPs to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery last year.
“It just put us into a position of no esteem,” said Shirley Kruse, who was a WASP.
Miller started a petition that got over 170.000 signatures and grabbed the attention of Congresswoman Martha McSally.
“Finally, they’re being honored in a way that the legacy is going to continue, not through just all of us who have been impacted by them, but through the educational efforts for generations to come,” said Rep. McSally, (R-Ariz).
On Wednesday, Harmon was given military honors.
She grew up in Baltimore and spent most of her life in Silver Spring. She died last year at the age of 95.
“Being laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery is the very last benefit that a veteran can get,” said Miller.
Less than 100 WASPS are still alive. Many of them have told Elaine Harmon’s family it feels good knowing they can be buried at Arlington if they choose.
