We had a special meeting where we honored our chapter members who have served in the military.
Here is an excerpt from our Veteran Appreciation November email:
In my experience, most Veterans are very humble about their service, and our Veterans are no exception. I received photos from a few of the Veterans in our chapter but not all of them, so I had to do some sleuthing. :) What I found will amaze you!
I fear that I missed someone, but it was not intentional, and I am sorry. If you send me your picture and service information, I would love to share it with the group.
In no particular order, here are our Veterans and just a few of their many accomplishments:
VICKY WINGETT. Vicky was a member of the 10-woman class that were the first female pilots in the USAF. You can read more about her and her accomplishments here: https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/victoria-crawford/
You can watch an interview with Vicky here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf4Y2mO2RTg
FIONA AKOTH. Fiona is the first female from Kenya to fly jets in the USAF. You can read more about her and her accomplishments here: https://samrack.com/fiona-akoth-from-kisumu-to-first-female-kenyan-pilot-to-fly-us-air-force-jets/
KELLY LATIMER. Kelly is a retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel. She has a very distinguished career and has flown for the USAF, NASA and currently Virgin Galactic. You can read more about her and her accomplishments here: https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/former-u-s-air-force-colonel-joins-virgin-galactic-as-pilot/
ALEX CAROTHERS. Alex is a retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel who is currently an HC/MC-130J contract instructor pilot, President of the General Lloyd W. "Fig" Newton chapter Tuskegee Airmen, and a board member for SAMS academy. His passions include inspiring the next generation of aviation and STEM professionals. You can read more about his work running a Youth Aviation Camp here: https://www.kirtland.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1224359/camp-teaches-teens-all-aspects-of-aviation/
JILL MEYERS. Jill served as a Computer Systems Analyst in the USAF. She has long been a champion of women in aviation and aerospace, and has founded multiple WAI chapters, including ours! If you would like to learn more about Jill, please visit her website: https://www.jillrmeyers.com/
DAN SHARPES. Dan was an aeronautical engineer in the USAF. He currently serves as the Membership Chair of our chapter, and is an Aviator Historian. Dan has a wealth of aviation history knowledge. I learn something every time I talk to him! You can learn more about Dan and read an aviation history piece he authored titled "The Failed Mission of the First Aero Squadron in Mexico" here:
JACQUELYNE NICHOLS. It's weird to talk about myself like this, but here goes nothing...I served in the USMC as an active duty pilot for 11 years and currently fly in the USMC reserves. This picture was taken after I accomplished my Helicopter Aircraft Commander check ride while in combat in Afghanistan. I currently serve as your WAI LOE chapter President, and am an advocate for the Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII. I help promote their amazing history through The Red Door Films non-profit arm called "Fly Girls, Honoring the Forgotten Female Aviators of WWII." If you'd like to know more about me, here is a link to an interview done by none other than- Jill Meyers: https://ms-my.facebook.com/FlygirlsWW2/videos/dare-mighty-things-jill-meyers-interviews-jacquelyne-nichols-and-hilary-prentice/283208680051287/?__so__=permalink&__rv__=related_videos