When Congress finally allowed women with one dependent to enter the military service, I was right there at the doorstep of our Air Force recruiter. I always wanted to enter the Air Force and become a pilot.

Going through basic training was a totally new experience. I must have been the oldest of all the other women, bunking together and with no air-conditioning, plus getting up early, marching, pushups and everything else that goes with it.

At one point I was elected squadron leader and even got permission from the base commander to give commands to my squad in German. Of course, I had to tell them what I was saying. They all thought it was neat, especially marching along and passing other recruits. We got the oddest looks. Sure, it was extra work, but it was fun and we respected each other.

I made many friends, even after graduating with my flight. I tried to go into Foreign Services, but was denied, due to having relatives still living in East Germany. So, I decided to become a pilot, which was another obstacle with men, but I showed them, being a woman I'm just as good as they are.

I flew different planes, my last plane was a DC-6, an old plane. My late husband and I owned a Navion, in which he later died, flying stunts over our ranch. He was a retired lieutenant colonel. He used to fly various military planes, his latest was the KC-135.

I sure miss flying a lot.