Mae Krier of Bucks County, who worked on the Boeing assembly line during World War II, at the monument to the war on Monday in Washington. Boeing honored the “Rosie the Riveters” from the war during a ceremony later at the company’s D.C. offices. (COURTESY OF BOEING)
Boeing said it helped support an honor flight this week that brought a group of women — “Rosie the Riveters,” who worked in factories during World War II greatly helping the war effort — to Washington, D.C. for a celebration of their contributions.
One of the Rosies was Levittown, Bucks County’s, Mae Krier, who helped build Boeing planes in Seattle when she was 17 years old, Boeing said.
Krier, a Boeing retiree who worked on B-17 and B-29 assembly lines from 1943 to 1945, received a special “return gift” from Boeing during a reception at Boeing’s headquarters, the company said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Krier sewed Rosie-inspired, red polka-dot masks, one of which was flown onboard Boeing’s uncrewed Starliner flight last year.
Boeing executive Ziad Ojakli presented Krier with the space-flown mask and a red polka-dot bandana.
“What an out of this world way to thank you for your incredible service,” Ojakli said at the reception.
“This is just beautiful,” Krier said. “I never dreamed in my wildest dreams. All I wanted to do was see that our American women were recognized, and it’s come to this, and I’m just so proud.”
Boeing gave this further account:
The Rosies toured the Capitol, visited the WWII Memorial and other sites along the National Mall before they were honored at the reception at Boeing’s headquarters.
All the Rosies also received a Boeing heritage pin and Rosie the Riveter challenge coin. The coins also made the trip to space and back on the CST-100 Starliner.
“These women are an inspiration to all of us, and I’m proud that Boeing can be part of celebrating their hard work and dedication to their country,” said Ojakli, executive vice president, Boeing Government Operations. “The contributions of all the Rosies, during World War II, working in factories and manufacturing plants to support the war, were nothing short of heroic. Their efforts, along with all our World War II veterans, should never be forgotten.”
Boeing maintains an assembly plant in Ridley Park and recently unveiled its next generation of Chinook helicopters there.
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