Airmen, families, friends pay tribute to fallen Tuskegee Airmen

Published July 18, 2008
By Airman 1st Class Bekah Phy
305th Air Mobility Wing public affairs

PHILADELPHIA -- Airmen, family and friends paid tribute to fallen Tuskegee Airmen during a Lonely Eagles Memorial Service ceremony July 18 here. The ceremony was part of the 37th Tuskegee Airmen Convention continuing through July 20 here.

"This ceremony pays tribute, respect and honor to our fallen members who joined the Lonely Eagles Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., between August 2007 and July 2008," said Maj. (ret.) Sharon Hunter, 514th Air Mobility Wing elite honor guard, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., during opening remarks. "... We are honored to have with us veterans from all services; retired, Reserve, Guard and active duty, but most of all, we are honored to have our most treasured veterans, the original Tuskegee Airmen."

Russell Davis, president of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., also spoke during the ceremony. "We start off this set of activities we call the Tuskegee Airmen Convention giving praise to those who have gone before us. Those who are deceased during the past twelve months should be honored, and we think we have a very fitting way in which to pay tribute to them for their lives, their commitment to the country, and for their sacrifice," he said. "... I'm so glad to see so many active-military people here because they need to understand what it's all about and know the names of those who have helped pave the way for all of us."

During the ceremony, George Watson, Sr., an original Tuskegee Airman, read the names of the fallen. The ringing of a bell followed each name, and those in the audience who knew the deceased Airman stood in their honor.

"The men and women we commemorate today are the men and women who served in the Army Air Corps during the 1940s at Tuskegee Army Airfield or in units at other locations that emanated from the Tuskegee experience," Major Hunter said. "... May these 'Lonely Eagles' rest in eternal peace."

A flag-fold ceremony was then held by the 514th AMW elite honor guard in honor of the men and women who put their lives on the line each day and for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the past.

"... Today, the American flag, 'Old Glory', represents those Tuskegee Airmen who passed away since the last convention, and we are unaware of their passing," Major Hunter said. "It also represents the unknown Soldier, our troops who are selflessly devoted and committed to defending our country and for those serving our country on foreign soil in the name of freedom."

The following Tuskegee Airmen were recognized for their service:

James Carter
William Cornish
Craig Cousins
Leroy Criss, Jr.
John Davis
Russell Desvignes Sr.
Charles Dryden Sr.
Harry English
Jerry Eure Sr.
Harold Gaulden
Weldon Groves
Luther Higginbotham
Charles Hunter
John Johnson
Hercules Joyner
Andrew Keyes Sr.
Lee Roy Kirksey
Donald Lang Sr.
Gilbert Langford
Robert Lawrence
Richard Macon
Earl Middleton
Louis Murray
Edward Nichols
Matt Plummer Sr.
William Richardson
Roderick Ross Sr.
Yancey Rowe Jr.
George Sherman
Leon "Woodie" Spears
George Taylor
Lucius Theus
Thomas Tindall
Calvin Warrick
Morris Washington Sr.
William Watkins Jr.
John Willis
Fred Wilson
Carroll Woods

Tuskegee Airmen, Incorporated 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. They came from every section of the country, with large numbers coming from New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Washington, D.C.

The surviving Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in March 2007, the most distinguished award bestowed by Congress. The convention offers a chance to meet these American heroes.

TAI has 51 chapters worldwide. For more information, visit www.tuskegeeairmen.org.