HomeMy WebLinkAboutJeanette Robbins Rhamsey Day - 100th Birthday -3.19.22li Pt vr, ‘ ,
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WHEREAS Jeanette Robbins Rhamsey was born on March 19, 1922, in the town
of San Diego to L.S. and Natalie Robbins, and dreamed of flying as a young girl. She
learned to fly in Yuma, Arizona, while running a small airstrip during the early days of
World War 11; and
WHEREAS, in 1942, the United States was faced with a severe shortage of pilots.
Jeanette was one of 1,074 female pilots to earn silver wings in the Women Airforce
Service Pilots Program- WASP for short - flying military aircraft in noncombat roles
during wartime to free up male pilots for combat; and
WHEREAS, in 1943, Jeanette began her journey in the WASP at Avenger Field in
Sweetwater, Texas, training in Boeing Stearman PT-19s, BT-13 Valiants and AT-6
Trainers, testing and ferrying repaired aircraft, and helping train air and infantry
gunners; and
WHEREAS the women pilots were considered civilians until Congress
retroactively granted them veteran status in 1977; and, in 2010, Jeanette and the
surviving WASPs were awarded the Congressional Gold medal, among the nation's
highest civilian honors, inspiring future generations of female military and civilian
pilots; and
WHEREAS, after WASP disbanded in December 1944, Jeanette travelled the
world as a military wife and mother, followed a career in social work, then retired to
India for many years to study with her spiritual teacher; and
WHEREAS Jeanette now lives on Hawai'i Island and stays active by reading,
exercising, and enjoying her yard; and
WHEREAS longevity of life is a blessing for an individual, their `ohana, and an
entire community which benefits from the knowledge, creativity, and experiences this
individual brings to all; and
WHEREAS Jeanette Robbins Rhamsey will celebrate her 100' Birthday on March
19, 2022.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MITCHELL D. ROTH, Mayor of the County of Hawaii, do
hereby proclaim March 19, 2022, as
JEANETTE ROBBINS RHAMSEY DAY
in the County of Hawaii, and salute Jeanette for her fearless service with the WASP, and
wish her good health, happiness and prosperity, and many more blessed years to come.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused The Seal of the
County of Hawaii to be affixed. Done this 19' day of March 2022, in Hilo, Hawai'i.
i.,,,,,,,
MITCHELL D. ROTH
MAYOR
moi.--^
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