LCDR Linda Maloney and her first born son, Ethan, Jan 200
dead. My heart hurt for her family because I knew they must
have been contacted. I also wondered what my own parents
must be thinking as I was sure the media was reporting the
especially after I had ejected a few years earlier. There was no
for two more weeks. Kara’s memorial service was planned for a
few days later and I was asked to give a eulogy. After giving the
eulogy in the USS
taps with tears rolling down my face wondering if this were all
a bad dream.
the women aviators had initially felt about our combat
publicity and controversy surrounded Kara's death and many
DECISIONS
impact my plans to marry and have a family. I was on track to
my Navy career would potentially be negatively impacted. I
involved in the Navy’s aviation acquisition community.
knew he was the man I would marry. He was living in Boston
instructor pilot. We dated for a year and married in 2001. We
MILITARY FLY MOMS
the Navy and even ejected out of one over the Atlantic Ocean.
and I wanted him to have a piece of it even though he didn’t
legacy to him of dreaming big dreams and achieving great
things and service to our country.
I also thought about the unique group of military women
aviators that I was a part of and wondered about the stories
they would tell their children about their few years or careers
.
It was published in 2012 and is a biographical collection of the
inspiring true stories and photographs of seventy women who
shared the same two dreams: becoming aviators in the military
are different from each other but all have a common thread that
weaves itself throughout the book creating a beautiful tapestry
of amazing and inspirational collection of stories. My hope for
pass down a legacy to our future generations.
90 VETERANS AFFAIRS 90 YEARS: Military & Wellness