Broward County Mayor Honors Female WW II Pilot/Congressional Gold Medal Recipient

About 70 years ago, Tex Meachem thought her love of flying was just a great way to take get from Gainesville to Daytona Beach for weekends in the sun. She didn’t know that it would ultimately lead her to join the distinguished Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) in 1942 and eventually to sharing the Congressional Gold Medal.

On Friday, April 23^rd, Broward County Mayor Ken Keechl honored Ms. Meacham, who is now 92 years old, at a special ceremony taking place at 10:00 a.m. at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Pilot Flight Training building, 1815 NW 51^st Place in Fort Lauderdale. At 10:30 a.m. Ms. Meacham will board her favorite World War II aircraft, an AT-6, to fulfill her wish to fly one more time in a plane from that era.

“The woman is a true patriot and has an amazing story to tell,” said Mayor Keechl. “Women pilots played a very important role in World War II and did so quietly without much recognition. It is an honor to recognize and thank Ms. Meacham for her service to this country.”

Through the Civilian Pilot Training Program, Tex Meachem became a pilot in just six months. As a pilot in the Civil Air Patrol, she flew over the Gulf of Mexico looking for submarines. After instrument and Morse code training in Texas, she became a Womens Airforce Service Pilot as a 2^nd Lieutenant. Stationed in Hondo, Texas she flew navigation students all over the state and ferried planes from place to place for repairs.

When the Congress voted to award the WASPs with the Congressional Gold Medal, Tex Meachem proudly stood in Washington DC along with the other WASPs to be finally recognized after 66 years for their dedicated service to our country.

Tex Meacham is a nine year resident of John Knox Village where she initiated the Red Hat Society and is an active volunteer. Members of the Red Hat Society participated in the ceremony, along with representatives from John Knox Village, History Flights, Deerfield Beach High School ROTC Color Guard and the Villagers of John Knox Village, a 48-member men's chorus who performed.