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Reservist assists, honors WWII WASPs at Rose Bowl Parade

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Meredith Thomas
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  They say that birds of a feather flock together. And the same could often be said for females in the aviation field. The bond some servicewomen experience is so strong, in fact, that it can span more than half a century.

Such is the case for Senior Master Sgt. Gina Louis, a production supervisor with the 315th Aircraft Maintenance squadron here, and a group of fiery former aviators known as the Women Airforce Service Pilots - civilian women who flew for the Army Air Forces and faced much hardship and discrimination during World War II.

Louis' close relationship with the group, which developed over the past seven years at numerous events around the country, recently earned her an invitation to escort the WASPs on a trip to the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, Calif. on New Year's Day.

She was the only enlisted, non-flying Airman asked to attend - and she did so at her own expense.

"Sgt. Louis spent nearly a week away from home during the holiday season helping out these now elderly women in a multitude of ways prior to the parade," said Senior Master Sgt. Glenn Jamieson, 315th AMXS flight chief.

In addition to coordinating transportation and logistics for the pilots, many of whom are now in their eighties or nineties, Louis also served as an honorary "float walker." She was charged with calling commands for the officers marching alongside the float on the six-mile parade route.

Louis also had a hand in helping decorate the "Our Eyes are on the Stars" float by placing roses in several spots on the platform. The float, which was adorned exclusively with organic materials such as petals and seeds, won the Rose Bowl Parade National Trophy for best depiction of life in the U.S.

"It fit them just right," said Louis of the float and the award. "I can't even explain how detailed it was. Volunteers were working 24 hours a day on it and it took more than 4000 man-hours to complete."

According to Louis, events like these are a special way to commemorate and honor the WASPs and their unique service to the country.

"It's always a privilege to be around them," Louis said. "The inspiration they give you is truly amazing!"

Louis, who, as a Reservist, coordinates repairs for some of America's most advanced flying machines, realizes the important role these women played in allowing her to do so and views her volunteerism as a way to give back.

"We see them as our heroes and tell them how thankful we are to them for paving the way for women in the flying world," Louis said. "But they will always turn it around and marvel at what we do now."

The bond of friendship Louis shares with the WASPs will likely continue to grow in the coming year. She already has plans to assist them during the Women in Aviation conference taking place in Orlando, Fla. next month and at the group's annual reunion in May, which convenes in Sweetwater, Texas, the same base where the women trained as military pilots more than 70 years ago.