News>Tuskegee Airmen, aviation excellence celebrated in D.C.
Photos
Maj. Gen. Darren W. McDew, Air Force District of Washington commander, attends the Tuskegee Airmen wreath laying ceremony Aug. 3 at the Air Force Memorial in Washington, D.C. The ceremony commemorated the history and service of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II combat operations. About 400 of the original Tuskegee Airmen remain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Raymond Mills)
Maj. Gen. Darren W. McDew, Air Force District of Washington commander, and Jim Pryde, a Tuskegee Airman, lay a wreath Aug. 3 at the U.S. Air Force Memorial in Washington, D.C. Pryde served with the Army Air Corps 477th Medium Bombardment Group as a combat crewman. During his tenure, he accrued 1,600 flight hours before continuing his civil service career as an intelligence analyst with the Armed Forces Security Agency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Raymond Mills)
Maj. Gen. Darren W. McDew, Air Force District of Washington commander, and members of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, join Tuskegee Airmen Association members at a wreath laying ceremony Aug. 3 at the Air Force Memorial in Washington, D.C. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military aviators in the United States armed forces. The Tuskegee Airmen flew with the 332nd Fighter Group, the only operational unit first sent overseas as part of Operation Torch, then in action in Sicily and Italy, before being deployed as bomber escorts where they were particularly successful in their missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Raymond Mills)
Jim Pryde, a Tuskegee Airmen who served with the Army Air Corps 477th Medium Bombardment Group as a combat crewman, speaks at a wreath laying ceremony Aug. 3, in Washington D.C., at the Air Force Memorial. Pryde was one of a handful of Tuskegee Airman in attendance. About 400 of the original Tuskegee Airmen remain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Raymond Mills)
by Master Sgt. Tracy DeMarco
Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
8/7/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- More than 650 people gathered for the 40th annual Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. convention Aug. 3-7, with events happening throughout the National Capitol Region.
This year's theme, "70 Years of Aviation Excellence: Then, Now, the Future," celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Tuskegee Airmen legacy.
Sixty-seven original Tuskegee Airmen registered for the convention; among them was retired Col. Charles E. McGee.
"Because we were segregated, we were together over a long time, so some life-long friendships have come out of that experience," McGee said. "Gathering at conventions is our way of keeping in touch, even though our numbers are dropping off. Conventions are a chance for us to share with others in the different communities."
The week kicked off with the final flight of an Army 1944 PT-13 Stearman biplane Aug. 3, as it flew along the Potomac River. The aircraft was originally used to train Tuskegee pilots before retiring from military service as a crop duster.
Recognized as a vital piece of aviation and African-American history, the biplane -named the "Spirit of Tuskegee" - will be viewed by future generations at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African-American History and Culture.
This famous group of men also honored their brethren who lost their lives in service to their country with a special wreath-laying ceremony at the Air Force Memorial.
The original Airmen also received a sneak peak of the Martin Luther King Jr., National Memorial that is set to open to the public later this month on the National Mall.
Next on the agenda was a special day set aside for the younger attendees. Aug. 4 was set aside to hopefully inspire the aviators of tomorrow. Approximately 400 young adults between the ages of 13 and 19, from across the nation, began their day at Joint Base Andrews, Md. They toured static aircraft displays, watched operational demonstrations and tried on military gear.
Leaving the base, the teens travelled to the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, Md., where they enjoyed a lunch with influential aviation and military leaders, including the Tuskegee Airmen.
"It's going great," said Trent Dudley, the president of TAI East Coast Chapter and event coordinator. "Anytime you can link the original Airmen with the youth is wonderful."
"The way I put it when I talk to 7th graders or 8th graders is they need to realize that 25 years from now what's going on in the country is going to be what they're doing," McGee said. "So, we hope that they're still focused to preserve our freedoms and still seek equal opportunity and equal access for all."
After properly honoring heroes from the past and preparing youth for the future, the focus Friday turned to the military members currently making sacrifices in today's wars.
An executive and senior leader panel fielded questions from an almost all military audience. The main topics discussed were possible changes to the military retirement system, diversity in the military, and mentoring.
"Diversity is a military necessity," said Dr. Jarris Taylor, Jr., the deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for Strategic Diversity Integration. "Diversity is a leadership and managerial philosophy, not military equal opportunity. It's about organizational change."
"The more diverse that we are, the better," said retired Lt. Col. James C. Warren, an original Tuskegee Airman. "If we quit using hyphenations in America, we'll get along much better. I'm not an African-American; I'm an American citizen."
Warren has attended 39 of the 40 TAI conventions. He missed one because he was still on active duty serving in the Vietnam War.
Half-way through the day Aug. 5, a large crowd of hotel staff and guests lined the hallway outside the TAI ballroom. When the Tuskegee Airmen and current military service members broke for lunch, they were greeted with an explosion of clapping and cheering.
"It's such an honor for us to be able to host the Tuskegee Airmen. They are American icons," said Aimie Gorrell, the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center director of public relations. "We were thrilled that about 400 of our staff were able to take time away from their work today to come out and do what we call a 'standing ovation.' We do a standing ovation for our very most VIP guests and customers, and certainly the Tuskegee Airmen are our true VIPs today."
In addition to the numerous convention events, there were also information and technology booths such as the 477th Fighter Group Arctic Reserve unit from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. The 477th Fighter Group is the first Air Force Reserve unit to fly, maintain and support the newest fighter aircraft in the Air Force inventory - the F22A Raptor.
With all of the displays, discussions and deep heritage, the convention serves as a reminder of just how diverse American society has become in present day.
"It's been rewarding to be a part of the experience," McGee said, "and see that change has taken place. I believe it's for the good. Our country is more diverse now than it was then, so we need to stay on that road...because talent doesn't come with happenstance of birth," he said.
Comments
8/27/2011 1:15:12 PM ET I am the Regent of Garcilaso de la Vega Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. We are honoring the Tuskegee Airmen at our National Defense Luncheon September 24th in Orlando, Florida. Unfortunately our speaker is in frail health and had to cancel but we are searching for a video to show. I know the history of the Tuskegee Airmen and they are amazing. I'm so glad to learn of this amazing group of men.
Shari Heck-Saylor, Lake Worth FLorida
8/8/2011 1:46:04 PM ET Those Guys were Amazingwww.frontlinemobility.com
