 proudly we hail from New York City where the American stage begins here is another program with a cast of outstanding players public service time has been made available by the station for your army and your Air Force to bring you this story as proudly we hail the WAF women in the Air Force our story is entitled courage and determination a true and inspiring story of WAF Gloria May Barnard whose great heart and fighting spirit conquered a dread disease and acquired a foothold on the future our first act curtain will rise in just a moment but first here's a most important message for young women listening to this radio program if you were between the ages of 18 and 34 and qualify you can prove that this is a woman's world too how by enlisting in the WAF women in the Air Force by joining right now when you're needed most and when the opportunities for advancement are greatest you will be serving your country well and yourself too you'll have opportunities for some of the finest technical training in the world training which will serve you well should you elect to return to civilian life but most of all you will have the inner satisfaction of knowing that you are serving your country when the need is urgent do your part in keeping America strong visit your local United States Army and United States Air Force recruiting station and enlist in the WAF women in the Air Force do it now and now your army and your Air Force present the proudly we hail production courage and determination what is it doctor can't you tell me what's wrong first you must tell me Gloria just how your side feels I don't know sort of funny you're not telling me I well this morning it felt funny now there's pain in my whole left side headache upset stomach what is it doctor Phillips can't you tell me what's wrong that was the beginning of this story a summer in chagrin Falls Ohio 1947 the rest of the story is a matter of record I have the records here before me I'm Master Sergeant Mercedes Bagwell United States Air Force assigned to whack-and-whack recruiting in Newark New Jersey I have a personal interest in the story told in these records the records to be sure are based solely on the open facts in the case but the case of Gloria Mae Barnett is more than that it's difficult to put into words what is hidden in the heart courage has its formal definition but where does it get its meaning where but in a heart like that belonging to a 16 year old girl visiting her grandparents in chagrin Falls Ohio back in the summer of 1947 the heart fighting back tears as she looked into the face of the doctor she'd known as a child in a room familiar to when all the rest that faced her was so unknown can't you tell me doctor Phillips well there are so many things it could be Gloria I wish it's like the time I broke my collarbone I knew I had no one to blame but myself and that silly tire I died to an elm tree is a swing remember I know you're going to be just as brave about this as you were about that collarbone even though this time it isn't your fault a long distance call followed to the home of Gloria's parents in Madison New Jersey Mrs. Barnett this is Dr. Phillips Dr. Phillips oh in Ohio how are you doctor I'm phoning from your parents house they wish me to put through the call doctor what is it is something wrong is it Gloria I'm afraid so yesterday I wasn't sure what it was left side merely felt funny she said today there's a pain in her left side her left shoulder side and leg are partially paralyzed paralyzed Dr. Phillips what does that mean Mrs. Barnett even her right knee has a touch of polio myelitis infantile paralysis I'm glad you were able to get here so quickly we hardly stopped once doctor well I'm happy to tell you that glorious case of polio isn't a severe one the specialists here at the hospital feel she can be moved within a month we'd like to have her with us we can't stay here and be a burden to my husband's parents unless her case takes a turn for the worst Gloria will be strong enough in three weeks to go eat that's good news she'll still need care though and treatment won't she doctor or she can receive excellent care at the New Jersey orthopedic hospital at Orange that's not so far from home is it no and three weeks isn't so far away either careful now oh we must carry our patient as though she were made of glass wait till you see how your father's fixed up the car there look inside dad you've made an ambulance out of it way ahead of the times if you ask me made for lying down or sitting up they'll be clamoring for it in New Jersey when we drive up in front of the hospital I'm sure no patient ever was delivered in such fine style well how would you like to start the journey lying down or sitting up oh lying down I think then I can have those few hours of sitting up while we pass Lake Erie how do you like this for a place to stop and have our lunch just feel those breezes from the lake I think this is a fine place well there's a restaurant over there that looks wonderful new to need some time away from the car I'm sure they have things to take out oh well I'm not awfully hungry now you have your lunch there and bring something back for me why don't you but we could all sit on that bench by the lake darling well suppose I sit there and wait for you I think I'd like to just look out over the lake for a while as she sat there looking out over the calm placid blue of Lake Erie and the white sails floating peacefully along a feeling took hold of Gloria that could have only one outlet tears tears she'd held back till now tears she mustn't let her parents see suddenly someone spoke to her someone she hadn't seen draw near excuse me miss but Lake Erie is a freshwater lake you're gonna change it to soft with all those tears I don't believe in impossibilities I'm sorry I didn't mean to win no I was rude I'm sorry mind if I sit down a little while between trains came out of do a little sightseeing good way to wear yourself out I'd like to be tired from walking looks like I said the wrong thing again look don't blame the Air Force oh I don't the Air Force is being very kind I just hated to see you feeling so feeling sorry for myself now don't put it that way I should feel sorry for the people who really need pity I know but how can you when your own problems so doggone big I used to think that way like looked around overseas at the towns crippled now but being built up again with courage and determination courage and determination yes I'm glad I'm going back there I re-enlisted after the war because I wanted to be a part of the job ahead the job ahead well that's as much of a speech as I'll make today oh are you going yeah I can just catch my train of a hurry good luck good luck to you the airman was gone and somehow good luck to you seemed to glory an inadequate way of saying thank you thank you for putting courage and determination in the place of tears for the reminder that there was a job ahead we're back how's our passenger ready for the ride ahead of us I don't think she hurt us Richard what Gloria are you feeling ready to start out again oh ready yes oh yes now I am ready along the shores of Lake Erie across Pennsylvania to New Jersey her father drove slowly steadily from her improvised birth in the back of the car Gloria watched the world pass by the window upside down in the back of her mind the vague notion was forming that somehow there were two jobs ahead two jobs somehow related somehow depending one on the other but for now she only knew what one of them was the job that must be accomplished at the New Jersey orthopedic hospital where after two weeks there was progress sometimes balanced by setbacks dad will be here in a minute Gloria did he stop to talk with the doctor the doctor said he had something important to tell him I pretended I didn't know what it was the doctor is telling him I'm strong enough to walk yes I thought I'd let him hear it officially he didn't know about the preview I had yesterday oh well I only stood up for a moment it was hardly walking but the doctor said today I tried moving my leg in bed it wouldn't move I tried again and Gloria from where you're sitting on the side of the bed try sliding down till your feet touch the floor try all right I'll try there now you have support with your right leg yes but still no feeling in my left leg can I make it move when there's no feeling it's your father come in well I heard the news oh up already you know when you were just this high I remember standing just about this far away that first step you took couldn't have made me any prouder than at this moment father you can't walk to me can't you of course I can of course I Gloria Barnard walked a little every day after that and daily treatments and physiotherapy strengthened her legs even more another seeming setback came in September on the day Gloria should have been entering her junior year at high school but Gloria's junior year came to her in the form of tutors and then in December came a very special day it's official you'll be home in time for Christmas Gloria big job ahead decorating the tree and there's another big job something connected with being able to walk again I don't know what but more and more I know there's something I have to do I guess that wasn't the first time Gloria's mother and father were to stare at her and wonder just what she meant she'd like to have known herself but soon she would know Christmas was a day of Thanksgiving in the Barnard home that year Gloria's leg though still weak had been spared of any paralysis New Year's came and as was their yearly custom the family had their New Year's Eve candlelight service together and their prayers were for all polio victims everywhere and as Gloria thought of that she realized their prayers were for people everywhere who needed help people everywhere in cities everywhere cities crippled now but building again with courage and determination I re-enlisted after the war because I wanted to be a part of the job ahead the job ahead I know what it is now I know what it is I must do tell us Gloria tell us dear well it's all tied in you see I have to be strong enough to be accepted in the WAF the WAF yes the WAF women in the Air Force I have to become strong again so I can be part of the job ahead the proudly we hail production courage and determination will return in just a moment for the second act but first young woman there's a future for you in Air Force Blue yes an important future in the exciting places of the world today the WAF women in the Air Force is rapidly expanding to keep pace with our defense needs if you're between the ages of 18 and 34 and can qualify the WAF needs you America needs you you will be trained to do an interesting job a job vital to the needs of our country for full details about a future for you in Air Force Blue visit your local United States Army and United States Air Force recruiting station today you are listening to proudly we hail now we present the second act of courage and determination we're cut out for there was little chance for Gloria to brood on the passage of time from the moment she made her decision to join the WAF time flew and after another summer she was able to begin her senior year at high school with the rest of her classmates another Christmas then another new year and Gloria knew she could wait no longer that she must know one way or the other what her chances were of becoming a woman in the Air Force that was the day the family drove to Newark that was the day Gloria Barnard walked through the door in my office for the first time sergeant Bagwell I'm Gloria may Barnard I've come because because you want to join the women in the Air Force yes please sit down won't you Gloria thank you how old are you funny that should be your question I thought surely you'd ask me about brace on my leg you're coming here with that brace on your leg tells me a great deal about the girl I'm talking to tells me about your courage has the doctor said your leg will get better well he seems to think it will maybe by the time you're 18 by the time you've been graduated from high school he doesn't say my graduation is in June and well my leg has been about the same for four months now at first the improvement was noticeable not so much now not at all that may mean it may never get any better than it is now you don't know sure that it won't I don't know that it will you fought quite a battle so far I think you should continue that fight oh I'll try I'll try Sergeant Bagwell Gloria left the recruiting office that brace seemed to weigh more heavily on her leg than it ever had she said very little during the drive back to Madison Gloria dear you you said practically nothing there's nothing to say nothing more to do until the brace is off but ever comes off oh it will darling you must wish hard enough I think wishes are like dreams they never come true the months past the high school graduation day was growing closer as it approached Gloria locked herself in her room to practice a simple thing like walking walking without the brace much 16 steps from where I'll be standing to the podium stumbling Gloria paced off the distance and the buckle steel brace lay on a cushion chair halting stumbling Gloria was walking they'll be giving out the diplomas next I do hope Gloria hasn't exerted herself too much already today she did seem tired Evelyn I feel better if she had her brace on no she wanted so much not to wear it she's worked so hard for this day so hard so very hard they'll be calling my name so it's so easy to walk the length of the stage in return 16 steps each way stumbling George Adam such a simple thing Mary a herd heaviness in my leg I'm tiredness I guess John can I walk the length of the stage can I barren Gloria Barnard my name my turn can I do it you must wish hard enough first step you took proudest moment of my life like cities crippled now rebuilding with courage and determination wish hard enough proudest moment of my life courage and determination without stumbling outfalling I'm walking up to receive my diploma Gloria Mae Barnard was ready to walk into my office the Air Force recruiting station in Newark, New Jersey you passed all the metal and aptitude tests with flying colors but the physical Gloria I think we've almost convinced the Air Force doctors that your leg is strong enough almost well the reports are beginning to look encouraging at any rate you see the file on Gloria Barnard grows heavier every day full of medical statements medical opinions now the waiting begins when will we know oh we ought to know in a few weeks aren't you planning to spend your vacation in Ohio well we go there every year I suppose we'll be going again then you have a wonderful time and at this end we'll be doing everything weekend now I have to go out we'll leave together well you're picking up all my records I have a trip to make with them to New York oh there are approvals recommendations concurrences opinions to get you've never seen so many all in the case of Gloria Mae Barnard the summer in Chagrin Falls Ohio promised to be like any other summer until a day came unlike any other day Gloria had ever known I'm afraid to open it mother is this the same Gloria Barnard whose courage is the talk of Madison, New Jersey well the little things take more courage than the big ones but it's been forwarded a male special delivery you'll have to open it I suppose I will well what does it say dear it's from the recruiting office Newark, New Jersey they want to know could I come to New York on September 13th to take the oath of enlistment as a member of the United States Air Force Gloria took her 12 weeks of basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas she looked very smart in her trim blue Air Force uniform and she finished near the top of her class her first assignment was to Lowry Air Force Base in the mile high city of Denver, Colorado because she had shown an aptitude for clerical work Gloria became a clerk in one of the training detachment headquarters after a year of this work at Lowry she was sent to Samson Air Force Base in Geneva, New York which had been recently opened to meet the training demands of new airmen at Samson Gloria became senior clerk in the headquarters of the instructor school where airmen with special teaching abilities are taught how to mold recent civilian use into members of the Air Force oh what a day say do you think I can ever get airplane identification over to this class I have oh Bill all new classes seem a little slow at first they catch on quick I guess you're right Gloria but let's see if you can tell us the difference between I've got work to do besides you've only a couple minutes to turn in the exams and grades of your morning class got work to do the job ahead I like this work here but I think I can do a better job one that's just as important maybe by telling others about the opportunities for women in the service and so Gloria took more tests tests to see if she had an aptitude for talking to people liking people being able to present the Air Force story in short being a recruiter Gloria packed her bags and shipped out to Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana the home of the Army Adjutant General School you see part of the Army AG school trains soldiers and airmen wax and waft to be recruiters captain Styles your instructor in this course on human relations and how they can help you in your future assignments as women recruiters for the Army and Air Force now this course short as it is is mighty serious business what you tell the young women of America will have a great bearing on their futures and perhaps on the future of this country now sincerity is one of the key notes in the recruiting field more than anything else you yourself must want to be a service woman call it personal pride if you will call it pride in your uniform be it Army Tope or Air Force blue the job ahead is a demanding task those words in to follow job ahead first by Lake Erie then at Lackland later at Lowry in Samson now here at Fort Benjamin Harrison job ahead your Sergeant Bowman I suppose they told me in Newark that I should report to you I'm Sergeant Gloria Barnett fresh from recruiting school how do you do I asked for this assignment Sergeant Bowman and I want you to know that I'm glad to be a member of the Army and Air Force recruiting station here in Englewood New Jersey what did you say your name was Gloria Barnett glad to have you here Sergeant we're a small family with a huge territory to cover lots of schools small towns and we have a program of community activity that keeps us busy a few evenings each week you like talking with young women helping to show them some of the opportunities of service life oh yes I do well we have an appointment in a couple of days to talk to a group of high school seniors you think you could make a 10-minute talk of interest to young women I think so anyway I'll do my best Gloria did her part in talking to the high school seniors she had the personal enthusiasm needed to give her words deeper meaning and she made a very pretty picture in her Air Force blue uniform standing beside the teacher's desk there were moments when as she was talking she mentally took herself back to her high school days and when she casually looked up the center aisle in front of where she was standing about halfway up the aisle she could remember a steel brace sort of half hidden beneath a desk but then again sort of sticking out in the aisle it takes determination to be a whack or a whack our country needs our help and if we as Americans are determined that it shall be strong then we can help with a job ahead they changed why just a few short years ago women were completely left out of this man's world but today in more and more instances women are proving that they can assume the role of skill technicians in positions once thought of as solely for men now a case in point is aviation today in our rapidly expanding Air Force women are taking their places alongside me as cryptographers control tower operators cryptographers and dispatchers now these are but a few of the vital services now being performed by the women in the Air Force if you were between the ages of 18 and 34 and can qualify visit your nearest United States Army and United States Air Force recruiting station today asked about the WAF women in the Air Force they need you now this has been another program on proudly we hail presented transcribed in cooperation with this station proudly we hail is produced by the Recruiting Publicity Bureau for the United States Army and United States Air Force Recruiting Service this is Kenneth Banger speaking and inviting you to tune in this same station next week for another interesting story on proudly we hail