The Tuskegee Airmen
Speaking of my country, right or wrong ...
It was good to see the Tuskegee Airmen honored Thursday in Washington by President Bush and members of Congress.
Despite suffering the indignities of segregation and the belief among many white commanders that they were incapable of becoming combat pilots, the Airmen severed with distinction during World War II.
They were especially popular as bomber escorts because they defended the planes under their protection so ferociously.
One of the Airmen was my Air Force Junior ROTC instructor in high school, Lt. Col. Andrew Johnson Jr. (no relation). He was a demanding teacher with an understated but commanding presence. And he taught us as much about becoming young men as becoming navigators nd pilots.
Sadly, he did not live to see Thursday's ceremony.
Read more about the airmen here.
Comments (1)
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Beautiful!
What a long overdue reward for these men. It's a shame it took so long to realize they should be recognized. I applaud Bush for doing it before it was too late.
There is another group of heroes from that time that we should be very proud of--the WASP. We have fabulous heros in our history that should serve as role models and inspiration and it saddens me that so little is known about them.
Posted on March 31, 2007 8:24 AM