Victory Collection-Book Two

The GREAT Grandmother

The GREAT Grandmother

It is Lulu's (short for Lourdes) birthday, 92 today! It is December 22nd. Lulu always wished her birthday was not so close to Christmas, less presents. She was born the year that Charles Lindberg crossed the Atlantic for the first time. Later, when Amelia Earhart took the same flight in 1937, Lulu was one of the working women who was motivated, by Earhart, to follow her dreams. She found her wings in the 1940's as a WWII Women's Airforce Service Pilot (WASP). People nicknamed them "The Fly Girls".

She became one of the female test pilots who freed male pilots to go into combat. The WASP ended when the men came back to claim their jobs, which led to a bitter debate about the necessity for women pilots. She missed her old friends and wondered how many were still alive. That is a drawback to living to old age, losing loved ones. Lulu greeted more family members and marveled at how fast the children had grown. As they filed in for the party, she continued to elaborate on her younger days.

Her best friend, another pilot, understood the business and the dangers, joys and intricacies. The camaraderie was intense, like no other sisterhood except her fellowship with other Christians. Lulu's friend, Ginger, trained her and other pilots to fly. Ginger complained that the leather helmet crushed her hairdo, but that she was a flier first; woman second. The whole group took their jobs seriously and strived to perfect them. Unfortunately, 11 WASP died during training and another 27 on active duty missions. Because they were not considered technically part of the military, the Air Force did not pay for their bodies to be sent home.

In the mid 40's, bills in congress, to militarize The WASP, met with strong male opposition. Due to these political pressures, congress disbanded the WASP on December 20, 1944, with no benefits. Respect for women has come a long way. But, Lulu continued to advocate for full military rights (burial for those killed in the line of duty) into her 80's. In 2002, all female members of congress co-sponsored the same bill, approving military honors to WASP pilots and burial rights in Arlington Cemetary. She received a Congressional Medal of Honor, in 2009, along with 300 other living WASP pilots.

Through the years, she met other pioneer fliers, like Jeannie, in 1967, who was the first female fighter pilot and Nicole, the first woman fighter pilot to become a member of the famous Air Force aerial demonstration team, the Thunderbirds. (When they flew in formation, they were a mere 18 inches apart!).

Lulu is no longer dreaming of new adventures. She lives her dreams through writing her memoirs and mentally reliving each event. She was married to an Air Force career man for twenty years, and traveled Europe during the six years they were stationed in Germany.

Today, she is celebrating two birthdays, hers and her great granddaughter Alice's (four generations). Alice is ten, and is glad their special day is together. Lulu likes to be called "G-Grandma"; G for GREAT!! The chocolate cake with white frosting, that grandma made, has only ten candles (for Alice's age). Lulu said if they had tried to put candles on for all of the years she has lived, they might burn the house down!

She loves walnuts on a cake, but she can't eat them now, since she lost her teeth. She has dentures, but they are uncomfortable to wear, so she leaves them out sometimes. Plus, she is worried that if she eats something like a steak or like a chewy candy bar, her false teeth might fall out!

The family takes care of G-Grandma all of the time now. She can't walk well anymore, so they don't leave her side. They help her with her walker or a cane. She complains that they keep reminding her to drink more water several times a day. Lulu would prefer Dr. Pepper at times. Longevity is not all good, especially after being so independent. She has the early stages of dementia and sometimes doesn't remember some people. She always remembers me, her friend LaVonne. I help her write her thoughts and memories and put them in order. Her memory is sketchy on some things. But, she is very clear about her days as a WASP.