Article by:
Dr. Gerald D. Curry
The last Thursday of March has been designated as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day, with the inaugural event taking place at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. This event is long overdue and should be considered a national recognition day. This event brought together over 600 national and State-level representatives, to include over 200 prospective high school and college aviators.
The famed Tuskegee Airmen trained from 1941 to 1949 and graduated 993 Airmen, who paved the way for men and women of color flying in the United States. This includes NASA Astronauts, airline pilots, and military pilots flying today. These men paved the way for how African Americans are viewed in technical career fields, especially those areas in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) careers.
The prevailing thoughts across the country and the world in the 1940s was African Americans did not have the intellectual abilities to successfully fly a plane, and definitely not in combat. This job could only be done by a white male, who obviously processed superior intelligence, and courage to manage emotions in high stress environments. The Tuskegee Airmen proved themselves time and time again that they had all the masterly, skills by showing superior abilities in very austere environments.
Several organizations came together to make this first commemorative day a success. The Black Women in Aviation, Legay Flight Academy, Civil Air Patrol, Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP), Air Force Reserve Officers Program (AFROTC), and Black Pilots of America, and the famous Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated. Professional career pilots from United and Delta Airlines were on hand for this event. Brigadier General James A. Benson, the Assistant Adjutant General, Delaware Army National Guard was present to show his understanding, appreciation, and contribution of the Tuskegee Airmen at this exciting event.
I was able to participate as a Pentagon senior leader, and military historian by sitting on a panel to speak on the brilliance of the Tuskegee Airmen’s contributions. I have served in the Air Force and federal government for the past 41 years and realize firsthand of the shoulders I stand the legacy I’m charged with upholding. I have a personal and professional obligation to know the history and contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen, and then to share this history with everyone who is willing to listen and learn.
The inaugural commemorative day was a rousing success, and I am extremely proud to have participated in this special day. We were able to celebrate this special event with 150 high school students and about 50 college AFROTC cades from Virginia Technical University. These aspiring young aviators were able to get the opportunity to tour the massive C-5 Galaxy aircraft and speak with aviators from all walks of life. The Air Force’s goal for Tuskegee Airmen Day is to spread it across the nation and make it a full national recognition day to be celebrated by all.
I can recall a poem writing by Chaplain Colonel Ruth Segres, which reminds us: We stand on the shoulders of those who paved the way. Those who took a stance in the days of yesterday. We stand on the shoulders not for self, or to be seen, but because we have a mandate, and that is to intervene. We stand on the shoulders with our heads held high, listening to their voices, we must continue to try.