Tuskegee Airmen ... And RV Related

[jclark]

Today, the Tuskegee Airmen are honored by the President with the Congressional Medal of Honor. Well deserved, I do believe. It is now and will be in the news etc ... (Nice to see several familiar faces.)

What might have missed the news happened a few years ago when I invited a few RV Formation friends to come and help us honor the Tuskegee Airmen at their 60th Anniversary Reunion (of which I was Chair for the Celebrate Freedom Foundation).

Mike Stewart captured the spirit of some very special moments for us in the article referenced below ....

http://www2.mstewart.net:8080/teamrv/camden04/index.htm
(See: What Did I Do?")

What is not mentioned is that one of the Tuskegee Airmen that flew with us later told me that flying in the RV Formation with us meant FAR MORE to him than even the planned escorted B-17 flight (that did not occur). He said he was 20 years old again! He has no idea how special that comment was, even though I did tell him.

So, whenever you get an opportunity, take a moment and give an RV ride to not only those of the upcoming generation, but those of "the greatest generation" as well. There are so few left and time is getting shorter.

James

[hevansrv7a]

James, thanks for an uplifting post. I'm from Detroit and have met and conversed with some of the TA veterans, given some Young Eagle rides, visited the museum, attended an annual awards dinner, etc. I endorse everything you said. btw, I think we met at S-n-F two years ago. Did your female co-conspirator do the fiberglass and paint? The man I remember meeting said she did all the "pretty" stuff on his -6.

[jclark]

Originally Posted by hevansrv7a

James, thanks for an uplifting post. I'm from Detroit and have met and conversed with some of the TA veterans, given some Young Eagle rides, visited the museum, attended an annual awards dinner, etc. I endorse everything you said. btw, I think we met at S-n-F two years ago. Did your female co-conspirator do the fiberglass and paint? The man I remember meeting said she did all the "pretty" stuff on his -6.

Yes, you were asking me about the fiberglass and I said Patty did it. But there is MORE ... she is the BUILDER .. holder of the Repairman's Certificate!

I just kinda helped. :-)

Actually we started with a kit someone else had begun. She review/repaired all of his work and finished the "airframe/powerplant" stuff. My area was electrical/panel/avionics. Our styles (of building) are different but we made it through and I think came out with a better airplane as a result.

James
N996P(atty)J(ames)

[Red Voodoo]

What the Airmen actually received was the Congressional Gold Medal; Congress's equivalent to the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Still a great honor, and more than well deserved by these gentlemen. But not the same as the CMA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_Gold_Medal

[aelkins]

(This is long so, grab a fresh cup of coffee)...

First off.. as strange as this story may seem, it is absolutely true..

One of the most inspirational movies that I've ever watched was/is "Tuskeegee Airmen".
Not only did it remind me of the ultimate price that many of our servicemen pay, it also rekindled my love of flying.
Shortly after the movie aired, I was traveling through Alabama with my job. As I was driving from mill to mill down the interstate, I passed a sign that had "Tuskeegee Historical Memorial" 3 miles ahead. Having just seen the movie a couple weeks before, I could NOT pass up visiting.
Being the well coordinated North Carolina guy that I am, I took the first exit. As I began to enter town, I noticed that there were MANY people standing on the sidewalks. Then, as I rounded a curve, I drove up behind a convertible mustang with 2 people sitting on the top. That's when it dawned on me.. This looks a lot like a parade.
Now keep in mind, Tuskeegee is a predominate African-American college town. And, even with my Farmer tan, I stood out as an odd attraction to the end of their parade. I can only imagine what their thoughts were as they stopped waving and stared at me. (cruising through in my rental car)
After 2 blocks, I noticed a Trooper standing on a side street next to a temporary barrier. As soon as he spotted me, he gave me the international hand sign to turn his way. (as I gladly complied)
He picked up the orange cone, and as I pulled aside, I said "Good afternoon sir, can you direct me to the Tuskeegee Memorial".. He grinned and said, "Well, I wouldn't suggest following the parade marshals there".. After a couple chuckles he said "Go back to the interstate and take the second exit.. you'll see it on your left"..
And that's what I did.. The next day I found out that the parade was the 25yr Alumuni parade. (and to think, i almost missed it.. )

A couple years ago, one of the surviving original Tuskeegee airmen was at the Columbus, Ga airshow. (I happened to be working nearby and took it in.. ).. I told the gentleman how much I appreciated his military service and how my visit to the memorial was 'temporarily sidetracked'.. He laughed and said "Try getting lost over Germany"..

On a side note, anyone visiting the present memorial at Tuskeegee (the double-wide office converted into the museum) should take a moment to drive over to the airfield. Take a look at the old brick building on the right. I'm wondering if that was the original barracks/hanger.

Incidently, the Walterboro, SC airport (low country) has a nice monument recognizing that the original Tuskeegee (fighting 99th) as they performed some training there too..

My sincere thanks to EVERY veteran/serviceman... strangely enough, although they gave the most... they ask for the least... think about it..

[jclark]

Originally Posted by Red Voodoo

What the Airmen actually received was the Congressional Gold Medal; Congress's equivalent to the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Still a great honor, and more than well deserved by these gentlemen. But not the same as the CMA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_Gold_Medal

OOOPPPS!! and a BIG Thanks for the correction.

You are correct.
(I even had a friend submit a design via one of the Airmen for consideration)

My mind had wandered when I started typing.

James

[210TC]

I met two of these men in flight jacket's at a tire shop in Califoria many years ago. They would look you in the eye with dignity and honor.

[ddurakovich]

Originally Posted by 210TC

I met two of these men in flight jacket's at a tire shop in Califoria many years ago. They would look you in the eye with dignity and honor.

They still do!

[gmcjetpilot]

Did you see the Video, its painful. You would think if you where about to give out the most prestigious medal Congress can give you would learn how to pronounce the Groups name?

+++++++++++++++++++
Boehner Repeatedly Mispronounces ?Tuskegee? During Congressional Ceremony,
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH):

During his short speech to those in attendance, Boehner six times mispronounced the group?s name as the ?Tusk-E-gee,? eliciting audible groans.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell took the stage and began his speech by pronouncing the group?s name correctly, while making a clear, if passing, glance in Boehner?s direction. Immediately afterward, the entire crowd broke into applause at the correction.

Watch a video montage of Boehner boners (its hard to watch):
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/29/boehner-tuskegee/

When Boehner says, "from the bottom of his heart", I just don't believe him for some reason, but than he's a politician and his lips are moving.

[jclark]

Originally Posted by gmcjetpilot

Did you see the Video, its painful. You would think if you where about to give out the most prestigious medal Congress can give you would learn how to pronounce the Groups name?
<SNIP>
When Boehner says, "from the bottom of his heart", I just don't believe him for some reason, but than he's a politician and his lips are moving.

I agree George.

That speech sounded so much like a script that was handed to him a couple of minutes prior.

Sad ...

And to keep this RV-related (somewhat), I can proudly say that I truly feel that my RV buddies had a sincere appreciation for what haapen at Camden that day with some of these guys.


James