Lonely Eagles ceremony recognizes fallen Tuskegee Airmen

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle
  • 459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
LAS VEGAS (AFNS) --  Beside a folded flag, a single flame burned atop the table of honor before dozens who gathered to honor fallen Tuskegee Airmen in a ceremony here Aug. 7.
 
Part of the 38th Annual Tuskegee Airmen Inc., convention, the Lonely Eagles Ceremony memorialized air, ground and operations crew from the original Tuskegee Experiment. 

While more than 10,000 African American military and civilian men and women were part of the original Tuskegee Experiment, only about 300 are known to survive today.

Mistress of ceremonies was retired Col. Sara Williams, who recognized the table of honor that represents the Lonely Eagle Memorial Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc. 

"(The table) is dedicated to those Tuskegee Airmen who unselfishly gave their lives in defense of the U.S., its constitution and the freedom it guarantees to all citizens," Colonel William said. "The candle is symbolic of the heroic and determined spirit that burns eternal for the Tuskegee Airmen who fought for and won the privilege to defend this nation against all enemies foreign and domestic." 

Retired Lt. Gen. Russell C. Davis, national Tuskegee Airmen Inc. president, explained that the vigil enables new generations to understand the significance of the Tuskegee Airmen and continues to inspire those who followed in their footsteps. 

"We are gathered here to give praise to those who've paved the way and gone before us," General Davis said. "We honor those who passed away during the past 12 months with this tribute to them for their lives, their patriotism, and for their sacrifice."

In 1941, young black men from around the country flocked to a rural Alabama town to fly and fight in World War II. The pilots, already engaged in the war on racism in the U.S., surpassed expectations and completed training to become the first black military Airmen.

"Their lives were important then, as they are now which is why we want to immortalize that service to our country and that commitment to the same values they perpetuated in their tenure," General Davis said. 

General Davis added the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen affects all those who currently serve in the Air Force. 

"It's important that we remember our fallen Tuskegee Airmen so that we can understand where each of us fits into the U.S. Air Force," he said.
Tuskegee Airmen Inc. members recognized the following comrades who passed away since the 2008 convention: 
-- William Accoo
-- Dr. Caeser S. Bassett Jr. 
-- Howard L. Baugh Sr.
-- Dr. William N. Brown 
-- Ben Calloway
-- Dr. David Calloway 
-- Jacqueline B. Calloway 
-- Benjamin S. Carr 
-- Corsey R. Coy
-- Retired Maj. Herndon M. Cummings 
-- Edward Doyle
-- Retired Col. William H. Eaton 
-- Gene Esquire 
-- Clarence Ford 
-- Harry E. Ford Jr. 
-- Charles R. Foxx Sr. 
-- Leon Geter 
-- Joy Goodman 
-- Alfred Gorham
-- Dr. Lawrence Charles Hawkins Sr. 
-- Roscoe Hawkins 
-- Gilbert Langford 
-- John Layman 
-- Eli Lindsey Sr. 
-- James McDaniel 
-- James McKnight 
-- Odell McLeod 
-- Littleton Richard 
-- Horace Odum 
-- Augustus L. Palmer 
-- Walter J. Palmer 
-- James T. Price 
-- Sherman T. Rose
-- Retired Senior Master Sgt. Walter S. Sager Sr. 
-- Elwood Selby 
-- George L. Smith 
-- Vernon K. Sport
-- Judge Earl Strayhorn 
-- Roger C. Terry
-- George Thompson
-- Retired Sgt. James T. Travis Sr.
-- Andrew Wallace Sr. 
-- Rhohelia Webb 
-- Charles T. Westmoreland
-- Dr. David Williams Sr. 
-- James Wright
-- Oscar H. York