Female WASP Pilots' Fighting Arlington-- Part 4: Reasons

At the current rate of about 160 burials a week, space in Arlington National Cemetery is expected to run out by mid-2030.  There are  50,600 burial plots and 35,548 inurnment spaces left.

According to Arlington spokeswoman Jennifer Lynch, "We're looking at the cemetery as stewards.  We're running out of space."  She said that the job done by the WASPs was commendable, but "it does not reach the level of inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery."

Elaine Harmon's family argues that point.  there are about 100 WASP pilots still alive though not all want to be buried there.  So, they're not going to fill it up.

Representative Jeff Denham, R-Calif., says that if the issue is space, more space should be found at the cemetery.  The military shouldn't "pick winners and losers" in determining who should be buried there.

"They were brave pilots who served our country proudly."

WASP member Jean Landis, 97, of El Cajon, Calif., said that after fighting so long for recognition, the Army's decision leaves a bitter taste.  "A veteran is a veteran, don't you have the honor and the privilege to be buried in one of our national cemeteries?"

I am wondering if this also means they can't be buried in another national cemetery?

--GreGen