Tuskegee Airmen honored at McGuire ceremony

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Danielle Johnson
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. (AFPN) --  McGuire Air Force Base members honored the Tuskegee Airmen with a rededication of Tuskegee Avenue July 17 here.

"Team McGuire did extremely well," said Col. Samuel Douglas, the Air Mobility Command operations division chief. "They went above and beyond with the ceremony. It was great having both dignitaries and young people participate."

The morning ceremony began with a young Airman singing the national anthem and featured guest speaker, reitired Master Sgt. Shade Lee, an original Tuskegee Airman. The event culminated with a flyover by aircraft from the 100th Fighter Wing and the unveiling of a newly redesigned street sign featuring the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of the Tuskegee Airmen's award received in March 2007.

But above all, the ceremony was in recognition of the unique accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen.

"I'm happy to look out and see a rainbow," Sergeant Lee said. "I'm happy that all Airmen are assigned responsibilities based on their own knowledge, their own abilities ... regardless of the color of their skin."

Tuskegee Airmen, Incorporated is a national organization that works to honor the accomplishments and perpetuate the history of the enlisted African-American men who enlisted during World War II to become America's first black military Airmen, ground crew and mechanics. They succeeded in their missions despite the challenges of racial discrimination.

The ceremony was the first official event of the Tuskegee Airmen's 37th annual convention held in Philadelphia July 17 to 20. The convention, themed "Our Youth, Our Future" will featured various forums for discussions on diversity and mentorship in the military, as well as a "Lonely Eagles" ceremony to recognize Tuskegee Airmen who have passed away within the past year.

Tuskegee Airmen, Incorporated has 51 chapters nationwide. It's mission also introduces young people to the world of aviation and aerospace science and technology through local and national programs such as "Young Eagles".

For more information about the Tuskegee Airmen, visit www.tuskegeeairmen.org. 

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