Tuskegee Airmen Invited to Obama Inauguration

[Are_grits_groceries]

When the Tuskegee Airmen, the all-black force of elite pilots, emerged from combat in World War II, they faced as much discrimination as they had before the war. It was not until six decades later that their valor was recognized and they received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor Congress can give.

Now, the roughly 330 pilots and members of the ground crew who are left from about 16,000 who served are receiving another honor that has surpassed their dreams: They are being invited to watch the inauguration of Barack Obama as the country’s first black president.



http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/10/us/politics/10inaug.html?_r=1&hp

A well deserved honor for these brave men! :patriot:

[nemo137]

1. Good deal. They deserve it.

No doubt about it.

[sohndrsmith]

2. That's awesome. Thanks... n/t

[HowHasItComeToThis]

46. BRAVO

[SeattleGirl]

3. How cool!

That is as it should be.

[uponit7771]

4. THAT'S OUR DUDE!!!!

[Diamonique]

5. Oh my. That is wonderful!

Have I mentioned lately how much I luvs me some Obama? :-)

My former mayor was a member of the Airmen. Unfortunately he won't be able to experience this honor, as he is no longer with us.

[Dinger]

6. Thank For Posting This,

now I'm all misty. Wonderful news!

[LostinVA]

7. I want to praise Eleanor Roosevelt here

She was a great booster and advocate of the Airmen, and her efforts very much helped them be able to be shipped out to the European Theater and allowed to fly. Many students are no longer taught about what a remarkable lady she was, and how her role as First Lady enabled her to shape some policy. There was a reason why the Right hated her.

I was privileged to meet some of the Airmen at UVA a few years ago. THEY were trie mavericks, and real heroes.

[Captain Hilts]

11. As the head of the Airgroup - a racist - said: "I get my orders from Gen. Arnold...

General Arnold gets his orders from Gen. Marshall, and Gen. Marshall gets his orders from Eleanor Roosevelt, so these boys are gonna fly combat."

And they did.

[LostinVA]

17. Sure enough!

[Dennis Donovan]

21. Yes, absolutely!

She insisted that, when offered a flight there, that an African-American pilot be at the controls.

[Are_grits_groceries]

25. I love this picture!

ER looks like she is having a blast!!

[LostinVA]

28. The wiki article on the Airmen doesn't even mention ER

[BuelahWitch]

24. Mrs. Roosevelt was a great champion of civil rights

Indeed one of our greatest First Ladies.

[EffieBlack]

45. She shocked many when she insisted on flying with Charles "Chief" Anderson

Many were absolutely flabbergasted that the First Lady entrusted her life to a black pilot. But her gesture went a long way toward telling the world that black pilots were just as skilled as white ones.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

8. That is wonderful

Long overdue recognition for such brave, noble and valiant men.

[jules1962]

10. Sweet!

Now how about the Navajo code talkers too?

[Captain Hilts]

13. They're cool, but didn't get the crap the gentlemen from Tuskegee got. nt

[Kajsa]

43. Yes!

It's time to honor them, also.

They provided invaluable assistance
in WWII communications.

To the Navajo Code Talkers :toast:

:patriot:

[Captain Hilts]

9. Yeah!

They rock.

[firedupdem]

14. Beautiful. I've sat under that statue many times as my son moves

in and out of dorm rooms each year... and I figure out how the hell I'll keep paying his tuition!:P

[Sequoia]

40. Where is it?

Does it help you figure it out? Cheers!

[mod mom]

12. Excellent gesture! and well deserved.

[Clio the Leo]

15. Emailing this to my pops ....

... you know, who is old and likes to read stuff about planes. :)

Thanks!

[nxylas]

16. Oh NOES!! This proves that Obama wants to subjugate the white race!

The minute you start recognizing historical injustices, we'll all be down on the plantation picking cotton for the black man (©All Freepers).

[uponit7771]

18. Oh noes!!!!!!

[Veruca Salt]

19. This is very awesome!

I would love to see them in the parade as well! :)

[Dennis Donovan]

20. Recommended! I also recommend reading Gen Benjamin O Davis's autobiography...

...recalling the difficulties posed to the Airmen during their formation as a fighter group (lots of institutional racism).

[ensho]

22. kick

nt

[Cha]

23. Awesome! As it should

be:bounce::fistbump:

[Are_grits_groceries]

26. Video about the them:

http://video.nytimes.com/

[windbreeze]

27. Absolutely a CLASS ACT, OBAMA....finally the ones remaining

get their due....THANK YOU....wb

[VOX]

29. It's wonderful that these great men will experience a dream come true in their lifetimes.

After giving their all in service of a country that wouldn't even let them into restaurants, schools, public transportation, restrooms, etc.

January 20 will be a big day for them, and I thank them for their service to their country. :patriot:

[awoke_in_2003]

49. They fought for this country...

because they believed the words (if not action) of equality. Now they get to enjoy the fruits of what they, and many others, fought for.

[Hekate]

30. What a wonderful way of honoring them. The one I knew has passed on...

I like to think that somewhere Lt Col James Kennedy and his wife Prof Shirley Kennedy are witnessing this great turning point in American history. They would be so unutterably proud of President-elect Barack Obama.

More about Col Kennedy and the Tuskegee Airmen
http://www.vfpsb.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=84&Itemid=86
and
http://www.vfpsb.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=100&Itemid=100

Hekate

[Maru Kitteh]

31. What a wonderful way to honor their service. Great news.

[jenmito]

32. K&R! I wonder how the Repubs. are going to spin this into ways "his base" will be angry about this.

:D

[sonias]

33. That rocks!

They deserve the recognition.

:patriot:

Sonia

[Number23]

34. Holy hell

I'm getting teary-eyed and misty just IMAGINING what this look like on Jan 20.

Happy to rec

[fortyfeetunder]

35. I knew some

But unfortunately most of them have passed on. The one I know who is alive is in poor health and doubt if travel-ready. I hope those that can will attend.

[democrank]

36. What wonderful news.

~PEACE~

[Marrah_G]

37. I hope they all have front row seats for this.

I wonder if they thought they would live to see this day.

[racaulk]

38. That is fantastic news!

I'm too late to rec this one, but I'm glad to give it a kick. What a terrific and fitting honor for these American heroes!

:patriot:

[stubtoe]

39. Shout out to the Tuskegee Airmen!

:applause:

[RayStar]

48. Financed challenged

Some from the metro Detroit area are having financial problems and may not be able to attend. OUCH

[NOLALady]

41. Shout out to GW Porter of Slidell, LA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQp_SdYC-mg

I'm certain he will be there.

[Kajsa]

42. That is great news!

Honoring these brave men is long, long overdue!

Thanks so much for posting this.

:) :patriot:

[eyepaddle]

44. Wow, just one more example of how much we can change--if we let

ourselves do it.

It feels good to be an American again.

Also, who wouldn't like to know the thoughts and feelings of the Airmen on Inauguration Day?

Just. Wow.

[Jhombir]

47. Men worth listening to.

I am a librarian in a small Los Angeles county library in a very poor area, and we had two of the Tuskegee airmen in for a Black History Month program earlier this year. It was, without qualification, the best attended and most inspiring event we have had here in years. I heartily recommend booking them for any event with children and young adults. Quite an impressive group of dedicated patriots.