Photos and story by Abby Latson and Makayla Descala
The Coast Guard base isn’t generally a place you can get access to, but for the last 18 years, every Nov. 11 they open their gates to the public for a Veterans Day Ceremony. This Veterans Day was no exception, bursting full of patriotism and pride of country. Veterans stood as the Port Angeles High School Band played each branch’s theme. Thomas McCurdy played “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes as he walked through the midst of hundreds of attendees, and former State Representative Jim Buck gave a memorable message in front of a giant American flag. It was a sight to be seen for sure, but the Veterans Day Ceremony is first and foremost an event that gives the community an opportunity to publicly appreciate each veteran’s service for the country.
But this year’s ceremony was different. It included a special award given to a very special woman. Alta Corbett “Teta” Thomas, who is now 96, flew planes with the Women Airforce Service Pilots, WASP, in World War II, which was a program set up for women to fly while male pilots were in combat. Of 25,000 applicants only 1,830 were chosen to fly with WASP. Thomas was one of those lucky few. Though no WASP ever saw combat, they took every other mission out there, whether night searchlights, instrument training, or flying an officer cross-country. These women did everything our country would allow them to do in the 1940’s.
They were pioneers of their time, keeping the world turning while the men were at war. Finally Nov. 11 Thomas got some acknowledgement. In the midst of the big bands, the choirs and the red, white and blue, everyone stood and applauded in recognition of her service as Thomas, who sat in the front row, received a bouquet of roses and a special award from the Veterans Group.