Photo By Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Wolfe | The 38th Annual Tuskegee Airmen National Convention at the Palace Station Hotel and...... read more read more
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LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Arizona -- "I am faithful to a proud heritage, a tradition of honor and a legacy of valor."
For the 60-plus Luke Air Force Base Thunderbolts who travelled north to Las Vegas for the 38th Annual Tuskegee Airmen National Convention this past weekend, those words of the Airmen's Creed may mean a little more to them today.
The Palace Station Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas hosted the convention Aug. 6 through 9, with the theme "Honoring our heroes — past, present and future." The convention provided the unique opportunity for active-duty, Guard and Reserve servicemembers to interact with men and women who truly shaped not only military history, but also the fabric of the American civil rights movement in immeasurable ways.
"By our presence at the convention, we honor the service of all who fought in World War II, but specifically the Airmen from Tuskegee who fought two wars," said Ben Bruce, 56th Fighter Wing Ground Safety manager. "(They fought) one war against the Germans and one against prejudice and discrimination. The other reason we attended the conference was to learn the history of the Tuskegee Airmen, their courage, commitment, determination and stellar combat record. We must share the legacy as it is part of the greater history of the United States Air Force. The story of the Tuskegee Airmen is a story for all Air Force members because it is the touchstone of our core values, a true demonstration of integrity, service before self and excellence in all they did."
The history of the Tuskegee Airmen began in 1941 when, despite fierce resistance from the War Department, the U.S. Congress forced the Army Air Corps to establish an all-black combat unit, even though until that time no American military pilots had been African American. Almost a thousand pilots were trained at the Tuskegee Army Airfield, Ala., from 1941 through 1946, and 445 of them were deployed overseas during WWII, where they earned several Silver Stars, 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, eight Purple Hearts, 14 Bronze Stars and 744 Air Medals.
Based in no small part on the successful flying record of the 332nd Fighter Group, including 13 confirmed enemy kills in just two days of action, and a nearly unblemished record of escorting bombers, the U.S. Armed Forces racially integrated formally in 1948.
More than 600 people attended the conference, 70 of which were Luke members.
Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Edmonds, 56th Communications Squadron knowledge operations specialist, thought the conference was a great experience and said she would recommend Airmen attend future events.
"The conference was wonderful," she said. "Just to be able to hear the history on the Tuskegee Airmen — I thought it was great. I wish more people could have come to experience that. I really didn't know too much about the Tuskegee Airmen until this conference, and me not knowing my history, learning that was a great experience."
Tech. Sgt. Jason Aucoin, 56th Fighter Wing Ground Safety technician, said he attended the conference to learn about the history of not only the first African American pilots in the Air Force, but of all pilots and Air Force history.
"The thing I enjoyed most was the personal stories of the Tuskegee Airmen and hearing them from their mouths," he said. "It was great to learn some of the history of where we come from. I wish they could do the conference here at Luke where all of us could attend."
All active-duty members who attended the conference have been asked to share what they learned with the Airmen in their own units. According to Mr. Bruce, attendees can make a presentation to their flight or at commander's call, set up a warriors call in the unit or talk about the event at a brown bag lunch.
"The sharing of the information is critical to ensure the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen continues to be a part of the story of the United States," he said.
| Date Taken: | 08.13.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 08.13.2009 18:02 |
| Story ID: | 37473 |
| Location: | LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, US |
| Web Views: | 570 |
| Downloads: | 523 |
This work, 60-plus Luke Airmen attend national Tuskegee conference in Las Vegas, by Deborah Silliman Wolfe, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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