PLEASANT HILL, Iowa – Vietnam veteran Larry Ritland is taking a 26-day bike ride from Iowa City to Sweetwater, Texas, in September to honor two Iowa Women Airforce Service Pilots WASP who lost their lives during World War II.
While visiting the National WASP WWII Museum in Sweetwater, Ritland learned about Beverly Jean Moses and Gleanna Roberts, two Iowans who served and died in the war. Inspired by their story, Ritland decided to honor their memory.
I thought I knew about World War II, but I had never heard of these women or the WASP program, Ritland said.
During a visit to Oakwood Cemetery, where Moses is buried, Ritland and his wife placed 38 flags to honor the 38 WASPs who died during the war. Moses, who was just 21, tragically died in a plane crash while serving as a copilot. Unlike the male crew members, Moses, a civilian, did not receive military honors.
Determined to give them recognition, Ritland wrote to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, leading to the declaration of September 5, 2024, as Gleanna Roberts and Beverly Jean Moses Day in Iowa.
Ritland has been planning the trip since February, with his wife providing support along the way.