Women pilots of World War II inspired generations

Rose Penn Ross, a pilot who flew with the Women Airforce Service Pilots during World War II, poses for a photo at the Air Force Memorial after a wreath-laying ceremony to honor the pilots at the memorial March 10, 2010, in Arlington, Va. The ceremony is part of a two-day event to honor the 1,102 women civilian pilots who served their country by flying military aircraft under the direction of U.S. military forces. (Defense Department photo/Linda Hosek)

Women pilots of World War II inspired generations

Cheryl Marie Michell Van Riper holds the photo of her aunt, Marie Mitchell, a deceased pilot who flew with the Women Airforce Service Pilots during World War II during a wreath-laying and remembrance ceremony for all 1,102 pilots March 9, 2010, at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va. The ceremony was part of a two-day event in which all pilots will receive the Congressional Gold Medal at the U.S. Capitol for their service. (Defense Department photo/Linda Hosek)

Women pilots of World War II inspired generations

Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II, military members and guests salute a wreath and roses dedicated to the 38 out of 1,102 women pilots who died during service to their country during a ceremony March 9, 2010, at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va. The ceremony was part of an event in which all pilots will be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal at the U.S. Capitol. The women were civilian pilots and the first to fly military aircraft under the direction of U.S. forces. Fewer than 300 women are alive and more than half were expected to attend the events. (Defense Department photo/Linda Hosek)

We remember

Loadmasters Staff Sgt. Jim Kosnosky (left) and Tech. Sgt. Aaron Kay release a memorial wreath out the back of a MC-130H Combat Talon II Feb. 26, 2010, near Capones Island, Philippines. The wreath honors the people killed 28 years ago when "Stray 59," a MC-130E, crashed during an exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

Never forget

Airman 1st Class Brandon Bussey salutes the Fury II Memorial Sept. 26, 2009, near Ekalaka, Mont. The memorial is in remembrance of four Airmen who lost their lives when a B-1B Lancer crashed 12 years ago. Airman Bussey is a 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron traffic management journeyman from Ellsworth Air Force Base, N.D. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration)

Paying respect

Piper Dave Harper prepares to march May 25 with the Royal Air Force Mildenhall Honor Guard Colors Team at the Madingley American Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony in Cambridge, England. The colors team participated in a full-honors tribute to the servicemembers laid to rest on British soil. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher L. Ingersoll)