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Fast -forward fifty-eight years ...On August 3, 2002, daughter Helen, son-in-law Tim and grandchildren Hillary and Lucas brought Dorothy to West Houston Airport for an undisclosed reason. Seeing the AT-6 and an SNJ in the hangar, she said "I used to fly one of those". When told she was going to flying in one again, she was at first disbelieving, then a bit hesitant, but once back into the cockpit the spark returned. By the time the engine fired up she was all smiles, and with an enthusiastic 'thumbs up' she and Col Harper headed off for the skies. After takeoff, they made a crosswind pass over the hangar, with Dorothy at the controls to deliver a 'wing wave' to the spectators on the ground as they headed out to the west for some air work. Upon their return, she was still smiling, as was Col Harper. He informed everyone that she had flown just fine, and everyone adjourned to the air-conditioned O'Club for the debrief (this is August in Houston, remember). Dorothy and her family repeatedly thanked Dick and the rest of the Squadron members for the flight, but we insist that the thanks should be directed to Dorothy for her service as a WASP and for sharing her experiences with us. A ride in an AT-6 "time machine" is the least that we can do to show our respect.
More information on the WASPs of WWII
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