Tuskegee Airmen gather for 75th anniversary, induct CSAF as honorary member

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Patrick Brown
  • 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFNS) --  Original members of the Tuskegee Airmen, their families and supporters gathered in downtown Montgomery March 22 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Tuskegee Airmen Experience.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III was among the guests.

Only 40 miles from where the U.S. Army Air Corps trained the first African American military aviation group in U.S. history, retired Brig. Gen. Leon A. Johnson presented Welsh with a Tuskegee red jacket, making him an honorary member of the Tuskegee Airmen. The red jacket represents the distinctive red that pilots and maintainers painted on the tails of their P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs in the 332nd Fighter Group.

Johnson, now the board chair of the Tuskegee Airmen Foundation and national president of Tuskegee Airmen Inc., said the induction was to recognize a man who understands and personifies the impact that the men and women of the Tuskegee mission have had on the nation.

"We're taking this action because (Welsh) has been an active proponent and supporter of getting the message about the legacy and heritage of the Tuskegee Airmen out to the members of your Air Force and the strength that comes from diversity," Johnson said.

Induction as an honorary member of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. is a reflection of a person's support of the overall goals of the organization, said Marv Abrams, the central region president of the group.

Those goals, according to Abrams, not only include preserving the heritage and legacy of the original Tuskegee Airmen, but introducing youth to aviation and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) opportunities through youth programs.

Theodore "Ted" Lumpkin, one of the 10 original Tuskegee Airmen who attended, said he was happy to see Welsh help preserve that legacy for today's youth.

"When you see important individuals wanting to be and feeling honored to be an honorary member, it's very satisfying and it gives you the indication that we're going to continue to exist ... and hopefully inspire youngsters to emulate what we did," Lumpkin said.

Welsh joins a distinct group of honorary members including former President Bill Clinton, director George Lucas, "Good Morning America" co-anchor Robin Roberts, radio personality Tom Joyner, and former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, who also attended the commemoration.

"To say that this evening is an honor for me ... might be the biggest single understatement of my life," Welsh said with notable emotion in front of the group of nearly 200 after Johnson helped him replace his uniform coat with the honorary red coat.

"It is such an incredible privilege just to be here to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the lighting of this eternal flame that was lit at Chanute Field in Illinois in 1941, and is still burning brightly in the eyes of the 10 original Tuskegee Airmen sitting here tonight," he continued. "I'm still unable to wrap my mind around the fact you're allowing me to wear a red jacket. I just don't feel worthy."

To learn more about the history of the Tuskegee Airmen and the youth outreach programs, click here.