MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar issued the following statement on the passing of Elizabeth Strohfus, a native of Faribault, who was one of the last remaining Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs):

 

“I was saddened to hear about the passing of Elizabeth Strohfus of Faribault. Elizabeth served our country admirably not only during World War II as a top Airforce service pilot, but also in her advocacy work on behalf of her fellow WASPs following the war. While she herself wanted to be buried with her family, she stood up for her fellow WASP sisters and fought for them to have the same rights as other veterans and to be given the option to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with the honors they deserve. My condolences are with her friends and family today.”

 

Klobuchar has been a strong advocate for allowing Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The Army recently reversed the policy to allow WASPs to be interred at Arlington. Klobuchar sent a letter in January to the Secretaries of Defense and Army requesting that the Army allow the brave women who flew missions during World War II to have their ashes laid to rest at the cemetery. Klobuchar met with Strohfus in Faribault in January to discuss this issue with her. She is also a supporter of bipartisan legislation that would allow WASPs to be buried at Arlington. Strohfus, a native of Faribault, taught male cadets how to fly warplanes and ferried B-17 bombers across the country during World War II.

Next week, on March 16, Klobuchar will join with her colleagues in Washington, DC, to push for passage of bipartisan legislation that would allow WASPs to be buried at Arlington.


 

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