Tuskegee Airmen convention

Lt. Gen. (ret) Russell Davis (left), national president of Tuskegee Airmen, Incorporated, and Master Sgt. (ret) Shade Lee, a documented original Tuskegee Airman, unveil a new street sign featuring an image of the Congressional Gold Medal at the McGuire Air Force Base rededication of Tuskegee Avenue July 17. The ceremony, which was part of the 37th Tuskegee Airmen National Convention being held July 17 through July 20 in Philadelphia, was held in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen's significant accomplishments, which include the Congressional Gold Medal awarded in March 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kenn Mann)

Tuskegee Airmen honored at McGuire ceremony

Published July 18, 2008
By Senior Airman Danielle Johnson
305th Air Mobility Wing public affairs

MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- Team McGuire personnel honored the original Tuskegee Airmen with a rededication of Tuskegee Avenue here July 17.

"Team McGuire did extremely well," said Col. Samuel Douglas, 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 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," said Mr. Lee, a retired master sergeant. "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 17-20. The convention, themed "Our Youth, Our Future" will feature 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 is to perpetuate the legacy of Airmen and introduce 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.