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[[newspaper clipping]]
Pro Patria et Gloria
Horace S Mazet THE SPORTSMAN PILOT
August, 1931

PRO Patria et Gloria.  History owes a lot to that motto.  Tradition and story have grown up around adherence to its principle. Many a regiment of stalwart, home-loving men has gone to battle in its defense.  Kingdoms and even civilizations have arisen through conviction in right against might.

The battle of Yorktown practically brought to a close the greatest struggle our country has known in the preservation of her political integrity.  For God and country the Army of the Republic fought the Civil War.  For the same reason the pioneers of the great West and their women braved savages and hardship, until the frontier disappeared in the Pacific.

Nurses in times of national extremity toil in the promotion of this principle.  So does the Red Cross and the Women's Auxiliary Ambulance Corps. No patriotic organization can truly exist as such unless it serves to further the policies of the Constitution and the defense of the home.

Much altruistic service has been rendered by patriotic bodies during the last century. All of Them have embodied in their purposes and objects the upholding of American ideals. Many are composed wholly of women. But few are more devoted to patriotism, to service in the event of a national, to national defense, to the epic pronouncement "My Country, may She ever be Right; but my Country, Right or Wrong" than the Betsy Ross Corps.

[[image - photograph of a woman in uniform captioned: Mrs. Opal Kunz, National Commander]]

Some three years ago a dinner was given by the National Security League, emphasizing among other things the Lamentable position of the United States air services in relation to those of other countries.  No program of national defense can slight aviation, and here the idea was born in the mind of a guest for the Betsey Ross Corps.  This woman saw a chance to weld flying womanhood into a group capable of and willing to serve its country if need be.

With adequate time at her disposal, this New Yorker began to learn flying.  She seized the opportunity.  Soon the coveted license was won, and the idea became more concrete, germinated into rough outline, while the irksome and necessary missionary work was accomplished little by little.  There was, in the first place, a widespread antagonism to break down directed against all women pilots.  Again, the idea was depreciated by those who misunderstand the motives and saw only a vehicle for exploitation of personalities.  But a new convert here and there began to see the ideals back of organization.

[[image - photograph of woman in uniform captioned: Mrs. Fred L. Ames,]]

[[image - photograph of woman in flight suit in cockpit of airplane captioned: Jean LaRene.]]

Now there is an active group organized throughout the nine corps areas of the United States composed or "loyal American women who have a common interest in aviation and all matters pertaining thereto" ready "to assist in any and all matters pertaining to (the Corps) welfare and advancement, and to coöperate with every and all departments of the National and State governments, including particularly the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, National Guard and Organized Reserves, the Department of Commerce, and with the American Legion and the Colonial Dames, D.A.R., and other worthy and reputable patriotic societies, clubs or organizations doing constructive work for national defense...". A meritorious platform!

Already a changed attitude is apparent in flying circles when women in aviation are mentioned.  With national defense as a goal, various bodies with aeronautical interests are more than willing to coöperate, among the leaders of which are the air arms of the Army and Navy.  Civilian fliers are sympathetic to the idea of a women's flying corps which will perform service behind the lines in time of stress or trouble, and in peacetime as well.  American womanhood in an organization which is absolutely non-sectarian and non-political and which shall never be used for the promotion of the candidacy of any person seeking public office or preferment, can be a powerful agent for patriotic purposes.  And chief among these is national defense, to which each member is dedicated to offer her services and ship in any emergency.

The Betsy Ross Corps has certain definite aims in its program toward thorough coöperation with defense aviation.  Primarily, all efforts are bent toward achieving a corps which will relieve male pilots for combat and military flying during war, while women take their places in transport, mail and hospital ships, trained and thoroughly organized to operate efficiently behind the lines for defense.  As an auxiliary air corps, the group is organized under a national commander, a commanding officer for each corps area, and local officers.  Yearly, it is planned, women pilots who compose the membership of the Corps will meet for two weeks in "camp," where they will practice formation and other precision flights which will definitely train them for vigorous emergency flying.  Courses of a practical nature will be given in Army Red Cross work, radio and other non-combatant duties, and already there are several graduate nurses among the members.   With the promised coöperation of various governmental bodies, regular service planes will be available, it is hoped, for advanced flying in all its branches.

[[image - photograph of woman in flight suit with goggles captioned: Mrs. Florence Lowe Barnes,]]

ALTHOUGH barely six months old, the Betsy Ross Corps numbers more than seventy of America's women pilots, many of whom own their own planes.  An example of singularly auspicious commendation is to be seen in the donation to the Corps of the only flying fields owned by women pilots.  Dr. Frances Dickinson of Chicago, seventy-four-year-old flying enthusiast, recently deeded to the organization a 160-acre tract near Orange City, Florida, to be used exclusively as a women's flying field.  A bill to permit the county to aid in clearing the land is now pending in the Florida legislature.  At this field it is planned to hold the annual winter encampment of the Betsy Ross Corps for all members who can possibly get there.

On the West Coast the auxiliary is to go into camp on the 

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