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Final Flight Final Fight: My Grandmother, the Wasp, and Arlington National Cemetery
When Arlington National Cemetery refused to accept my grandmother's last request to be laid to rest there, I refused to let her legacy as a veteran die along with her.
My grandmother, Elaine Danforth Harmon, flew as a pilot with the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II. Despite being part of the first group of women to fly for the United States Army, the WASP remained officially unrecognized as members of the military due to discriminatory thinking about gender on Capitol Hill and beyond. Women flying planes? Too progressive for the World War II era.
When I was young, I thought of my grandmother's trips to accept awards, or to visit the White House, or to give lectures about her time in the service, as her hobby. I knew what she had done and I knew that in the 1970s they had lobbied Congress to get the veterans' status they had been denied during the war. From that point on, my grandmother shared her story of service with the WASP during World War II with anyone who would listen.
But it was not until after she died that I fully understood why she had spent so many years talking about her service with the WASP. My grandmother's last request was to be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Our family was surprised when the United States Army, which managed the cemetery, denied that the WASP, and therefore my grandmother, were eligible for placement in the cemetery.
The Army said 'no' to the wrong family.
I led our family's campaign on behalf of my grandmother, and all the women of the WASP, across social media, traditional news outlets, and to Capitol Hill to fight for their equal recognition at one of the nation's most well-known cemeteries. Join me as I organize support in the halls of Congress from Senators and Representatives like Martha McSally, Joni Ernst, Amy Klobuchar, Susan Davis and more. My grandmother's final fight came after her final flight - but I was honored to follow in her footsteps to ensure her legacy would not be forgotten.
My grandmother, Elaine Danforth Harmon, flew as a pilot with the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II. Despite being part of the first group of women to fly for the United States Army, the WASP remained officially unrecognized as members of the military due to discriminatory thinking about gender on Capitol Hill and beyond. Women flying planes? Too progressive for the World War II era.
When I was young, I thought of my grandmother's trips to accept awards, or to visit the White House, or to give lectures about her time in the service, as her hobby. I knew what she had done and I knew that in the 1970s they had lobbied Congress to get the veterans' status they had been denied during the war. From that point on, my grandmother shared her story of service with the WASP during World War II with anyone who would listen.
But it was not until after she died that I fully understood why she had spent so many years talking about her service with the WASP. My grandmother's last request was to be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Our family was surprised when the United States Army, which managed the cemetery, denied that the WASP, and therefore my grandmother, were eligible for placement in the cemetery.
The Army said 'no' to the wrong family.
I led our family's campaign on behalf of my grandmother, and all the women of the WASP, across social media, traditional news outlets, and to Capitol Hill to fight for their equal recognition at one of the nation's most well-known cemeteries. Join me as I organize support in the halls of Congress from Senators and Representatives like Martha McSally, Joni Ernst, Amy Klobuchar, Susan Davis and more. My grandmother's final fight came after her final flight - but I was honored to follow in her footsteps to ensure her legacy would not be forgotten.
350 pages, ebook
Published February 26, 2019
8 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Erin Miller
59 books7 followersErin Hicks Miller is an author and entrepreneur. She cut her teeth in the culinary world as a young, twenty-something restaurateur and works as a realtor and interior designer. She and her husband have an advertising and production company serving clients who include builders and developers, chefs, restaurants, and Thoroughbred horse owners across the country. Miller and her husband divide their time among Houston, Corpus Christi, and Encino, Texas."
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 13, 2019
Ms. Miller's book was not only educational about the WASP and their role in history, but inspirational to future leaders who aspire to make a change. She does a wonderful job of highlighting who her grandmother was as well as who the WASP were and why they should be remembered. The book is a inspiration to anyone who wishes to change a law and have a lasting mark on society in a positive way. I highly suggest this be read by any woman, young or old, as a reminder of the power that exists inside of each woman.
April 1, 2019
I am a 13 year old boy who very much enjoyed reading this book. It was very touching how much Erin and her family went through, just to get "Gammy" recognized internationally. Her journey was tough, but that didn't stop her from doing what her grandmother wanted, and being buried how she hoped she would be. Reading this book shed a whole new light on the definition of perseverance. It taught me about all of the WASP.
March 4, 2019
Elaine Danforth Harmon's family did what I hope any military service members family would do and that's fight for what that service member earned and deserves. Final Flight Final Fight is a riveting story of the family of a WWII Veteran fighting to honor her final request. A request that should have been easy to fulfill but was met with unnecessary roadblocks. Roadblocks similar to which Elaine and the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) were met with during and after WWII. By coming together as a family and rallying support from across the globe, Erin and her family were finally able to honor Elaine's final request.
This book was written by a determined loving granddaughter that will stop at nothing to make sure her grandmother receives the military honor she rightfully deserves. I enjoyed this book immensely! Awesome job Erin!
This book was written by a determined loving granddaughter that will stop at nothing to make sure her grandmother receives the military honor she rightfully deserves. I enjoyed this book immensely! Awesome job Erin!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2019
Elaine Danforth Harmon’s dying wish was to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. She served in WWII as a WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilot), so it should have only been a matter of paperwork and scheduling a service date. Right? Erin Miller’s grandmother was this remarkable woman. Imagine her shock when she found out her grandmother had been denied this request--the WASP were no longer considered worthy. Erin is an amazing writer that takes you deep into her family’s fight to honor her grandmother and give her the burial she deserved and asked for. The foreword by Senator Martha McSally is especially poignant. Highly recommended.
October 16, 2025
Erin’s grandmother, Elaine Danforth Harmon, joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots in WWII, training to be a pilot and flying missions in various aircraft throughout the US. Although they trained the same way as the men and on the same airplanes, the WASP were not made a part of the military, simply based on their gender. In the 1970s, the WASP successfully lobbied Congress to pass a law granting them rectroactive veteran status.
When Elaine was close to death in 2015 she asked to be buried at Arlington. The Army refused, saying that they did not recognize that law; that it is only valid at VA cemeteries, and the army runs Arlington.
So Erin, an attorney, decided that Arlington “said no to the wrong family”. She lobbied tirelessly, worked social media, and conducted innumerable interviews with radio and TV. She managed to befriend Senator Martha McSally, a former pilot, to draft a bill allowing the few remaining living WASP to be interred at Arlington, if they wished. When the cemetery offered to make an exception for Elaine, Erin’s family did not accept, insisting that all WASP have their rightful opportunity.
In 2016, the bill finally passed in the House and the Senate, and Elaine’s remains were laid to rest at Arlington.
Erin’s commitment to her grandmother still continues - she is a regular advocate of the WASP, working hard to raise awareness. Since 2016, she herself became a pilot and earned PPL, CPL, IFR, and CFI ratings.
I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Erin on two different flying trips, and admire her efforts on behalf of her “Gammy” and the WASP. I was also lucky to fly in to Avenger Field in Sweetwater, TX. This is where many of the WASP trained and there is a fantastic museum dedicated to them. Visiting and enjoying a celebration banquet with a group of women pilots made it even more eventful!
When Elaine was close to death in 2015 she asked to be buried at Arlington. The Army refused, saying that they did not recognize that law; that it is only valid at VA cemeteries, and the army runs Arlington.
So Erin, an attorney, decided that Arlington “said no to the wrong family”. She lobbied tirelessly, worked social media, and conducted innumerable interviews with radio and TV. She managed to befriend Senator Martha McSally, a former pilot, to draft a bill allowing the few remaining living WASP to be interred at Arlington, if they wished. When the cemetery offered to make an exception for Elaine, Erin’s family did not accept, insisting that all WASP have their rightful opportunity.
In 2016, the bill finally passed in the House and the Senate, and Elaine’s remains were laid to rest at Arlington.
Erin’s commitment to her grandmother still continues - she is a regular advocate of the WASP, working hard to raise awareness. Since 2016, she herself became a pilot and earned PPL, CPL, IFR, and CFI ratings.
I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Erin on two different flying trips, and admire her efforts on behalf of her “Gammy” and the WASP. I was also lucky to fly in to Avenger Field in Sweetwater, TX. This is where many of the WASP trained and there is a fantastic museum dedicated to them. Visiting and enjoying a celebration banquet with a group of women pilots made it even more eventful!
November 4, 2019
Fascinating book about the WASP and one woman's fight to afford them the recognition they deserved. A very valuable research tool for me, as well, in rounding out my mental picture of the WASP and the full circle of their story. The Army definitely messed with the wrong family here.
March 27, 2019
The chance to learn what's behind the curtain of everyday life's challenges is indeed welcome. Erin has created an enlightening revelation of just what it takes to win a fight in today's world. As she shows us, never accept no when yes is the right answer. For the army to make an arbitrary change to a previously granted right, one would hardly have noticed. But Erin shows us how not to accept such a decision. She enlists her family and then a social media army to fight back. She makes new, well placed and able friends to achieve her goal of getting her grandmother, "Gammy", into Arlington cemetery. This story of her journey will make you believe that ordinary people can make the democratic process work. To get a bill through Congress and signed by the President is an extraordinary feat. Learn how it can be done by the most personal story from a loving grandaughter.
April 1, 2019
This is an amazing book! Erin shares her very personal account of growing up as the granddaughter of WASP, Elaine Harmon and the battle Erin and her family successfully waged to give Elaine (Gammy) the burial she requested and deserved at Arlington National Cemetery. It’s a history lesson, a civics lesson, media, and congressional battle told with heart. It’s a quick read and is appropriate for all ages.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2019
As the daughter of Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP), Elaine Danforth Harmon, I lived this story. I anxiously awaited the delivery of my pre-order wondering how it would be to read a story I knew first hand. I have to admit I was surprised to find that I could not put the book down. Erin creatively takes you through the family's efforts to have the U.S.Army equally and appropriately recognize and honor not only her grandmother, but also, the WASP, veterans who served as pilots in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII.
The reader will find this story compelling on a number of levels. There are the emotions of a relationship that one sorts through with loss. Then there is the historical background on the WASP as the author provides context to the story. On another level this book is an education on our legislative process, and how to effectively lobby Congress. It is also a powerful guide on how to get results with social media.
Though the book is a powerful and touching statement of a granddaughter's love for her grandmother what would make my mother most proud was seeing that her granddaughter "got" how important it was to her that what the Women Airforce Pilots be did be remembered.
The reader will find this story compelling on a number of levels. There are the emotions of a relationship that one sorts through with loss. Then there is the historical background on the WASP as the author provides context to the story. On another level this book is an education on our legislative process, and how to effectively lobby Congress. It is also a powerful guide on how to get results with social media.
Though the book is a powerful and touching statement of a granddaughter's love for her grandmother what would make my mother most proud was seeing that her granddaughter "got" how important it was to her that what the Women Airforce Pilots be did be remembered.
April 8, 2019
I already knew the basic story of the fight to have WASP Elaine Harmon’s request to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery honored. I also know the family. Then, reading this book, I found out how much I didn’t know about this fight. It was an honor to know Grammy, and inspiring to see her grit, determination and love of country passed down to her granddaughters. Thank you for sharing this story!
August 28, 2024
Reading about Erin's tireless fight to get her grandmother, a Women Air force Service Pilot (WASP) during WWII, really makes one realise how far we've come but also how much more ground there is still to cover. A great page-turner, uplifting and, incidentally, also a great way to learn how the US law -maming machine works.
October 27, 2020
Good history, heavy on details
I really enjoyed learning about the WASP, and it’s something we do not hear about often enough. Was a bit repetitive though.
I really enjoyed learning about the WASP, and it’s something we do not hear about often enough. Was a bit repetitive though.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews