Offutt community honors fallen Airman with road dedication

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Danielle Grannan
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (AFNS) --  Offutt community officials hosted a ceremony April 6 to dedicate and name a new road on base in honor of a fallen Airman.

Lt. Col. Harrison "Harry" Tull served in the Air Force for 27 years, his career encompassing his time in World War II as a member of the famous Tuskegee Airmen, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

He was inducted into the 55th Wing Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame in 2003. He received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007, the highest award presented by the U.S. legislative branch, and now he will be remembered by everyone who drives down Tull Road. 

Colonel Tull died Oct. 11, 2009, at the age of 89 after battling cancer.

"We are incredibly proud to honor the legacy of Colonel Tull and the Tuskegee Airmen," said Brig. Gen. John N.T. "Jack" Shanahan the 55th Wing commander. "Not only was he a big part of our wing's heritage, he was a great leader in the community. He served his nation with dedication and dignity for far longer than the 27 years he wore a uniform. We should all strive to emulate his steadfast commitment to service and excellence and his perseverance in knocking down obstacles."

Like Colonel Tull, the road named in his honor connects the past and present. The road was built recently to connect what was once the hospital on historic Fort Crook to SAC Boulevard. The former hospital building now houses the 55th Communications Group.

The process to dedicate Tull Road started more than six months ago before construction was even complete.

"The initial process to name anything on base after a person falls to the 55th Force Support Squadron," said Capt. Alejandra Czerniak, the Community Services Flight deputy commander, "So when the task came to me, I wrote a letter to the group commander making several recommendations. Colonel Tull stood out, and it seemed appropriate to name the road after him, especially considering his recent passing.

"Once we got the OK at the group level, it went up the chain of command to General Shanahan who approved the recommendation," Captain Czerniak said. "The wing commander really liked the idea of dedicating the road to Colonel Tull."

Dedications such as this don't happen often, said John McQueney, the 55th Wing historian.

The last dedication to a 55th Wing member was the King Dining Facility in the late 1990s. The dining facility is named after Staff Sgt. Ronald L. King who died in the Khobar Towers attack in Saudi Arabia in 1996.