And in Detroit a pioneering World War II pilot finally received full military funeral honors -a tribute that was denied at her death because she was a woman.
Marie Michell flew as one of 1,000-plus women to earn their wings as member of a U.S. Army Air Force program. On Oct. 2, 1944, the 20-year-olds plane crashed during a training flight over the Mojave Desert in California.
Marie's family, including her 90-year-old brother Roy Michell gathered around a bronze marker -- inscribed with her name. Her brother Roy, received the precisely folded American flag, which historically has draped a serviceperson's casket, from a military honor guard and Taps was played as well.
Marie was a "Fly Girl" as they were known, women who flew planes stateside for the WASPs Women Service Air force Pilots to free up male military pilots for combat overseas.
The WASP program was created in August 1943, combining the previous Women's Auxiliary Ferry Squadron and the Women's Flying Training Detachment . Their mission: to work as test pilots or ferry aircraft stateside. But the women's roles weren't officially recognized as military service. They dressed in military-like uniforms they bought for themselves, but were not classified as military or eligible for veteran status.
As the end of the war drew near, the WASPs were deactivated in December 1944 because critics denounced it as a waste with so many male pilots then available.
It wasn't until 1977 that President Jimmy Carter voted the women to be eligible for military veteran's benefits.
Marie was accepted into the WASPs in August 1943, one of only 1,800 chosen from a field of 25,000 applicants. Then, on Oct. 2, 1944, Marie Michell took the place of her roommate as copilot on a B25 Mitchell Bomber training flight, with two servicemen aboard. A lieutenant was the pilot when the plane crashed into the Mojave Desert and disintegrated into flames.
In 2005, the shifting sands of the Mojave Desert unearthed Marie's wedding ring, her pilot wings, an identification bracelet from her mom and her watch. Amateur aviation archaeologists discovered the remnants and tracked them to Marie. The Michell family donated the items to the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, outside the gates of Arlington National Cemetery.
During the ceremony Michell's grave marker, weathered by time, was surrounded by 37 American flags to signify the other pioneer WASPs who died in service. About 400 full-size American flags lined the cemetery's roadway and leading to her grave there will be a stretch of red ribbon laid down signigying the line she crossed- the barrier she broke when she flew.
