Servicemembers honored at Tuskegee Airmen convention Published July 21, 2008 By Senior Airman Danielle Johnson 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs PHILADELPHIA (AFPN) -- Military members and Tuskegee Airmen were honored at the Tuskegee Airmen National Convention military luncheon July 18 here. "I want people to understand whose shoulders we are standing on and what those men did for us and our Air Force," said Brig. Gen. Robin Rand, the principal director to the deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Middle East policy at the Pentagon. "Those original Tuskegee Airmen had to fight for the right to fight," the general said. General Rand, who was commander of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad Air Base, Iraq, from 2006 to 2007, recognized and described the accomplishments of the original Tuskegee Airmen, who succeeded in their missions despite racial discrimination, then continued by describing the challenges and accomplishments of today's Airmen. "Your Air Force is employed in combat. Your Air Force is in the business of saving lives," he said. "And as the Tuskegee Airmen did 66 years ago -- fighting armies that represent tyranny and oppression -- our Air Force is doing that today to make (the world) better for our kids, for our grandkids, for even those who aren't grateful for it. You can take great pride in that." The luncheon culminated with the presentation of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., 2008 Military Awards, which are presented to military members who have exhibited outstanding performance in both professional and community service. The winners are: -- Col. Christine Knighton of the Army Human Resources Command in Virginia received the Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Award. -- Capt. Shamekia Toliver from Scott Air Force Base, Ill., received the Capt. Robert W. Williams Award. -- Master Sgt. Eric Hein from Sather AB, Iraq, received the Chief Master Sgt. Fred A. Archer Award. -- Tech. Sgt. Christopher McArdle of Joint Base Balad, Iraq, received the Senior Master Sgt. F. Barbour Award. Tuskegee Airmen Inc. is the national organization that works to honor the accomplishments and perpetuate the history of the legendary young African-American men who enlisted during World War II to become America's first black military Airmen, ground crew and mechanics. The Tuskegee Airmen were young men who enlisted at a time when there were many people who thought that black men lacked intelligence, skill, courage and patriotism. For more information, visit www.tuskegeeairmen.org. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page