In celebrating Black History Month, there are a number of African Americans who are so deserving of praise for helping make this a great country to live in. My childhood days of learning Black history brings back memories of people like Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, George Washington Carver and his 300 uses for peanuts (the official snack of Southwest Airlines), and Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks for their brave efforts during the Civil Rights Movement. I'm so thankful for learning about these great African Americans.
I later learned that a civil rights movement took place back in 1941 during WWII, when a group of young African American men fought to become fighter pilots in the United States Army Air Corps.
These young men are now known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Those who were qualified were accepted into the aviation cadet training, where they became pilots, navigators, bombardiers, and some were trained to become aircraft mechanics.
I didn't learn the true history of the Tuskegee Airmen until I was 25 years old, but now I am blessed to be part of the Tuskegee Airmen organization for three years running. I currently hold the title of Vice President of the local, Claude R. Platte D/FW Tuskegee Airmen Chapter.
For their great achievements during WWII, the Tuskegee Airmen in 2006 were awarded with the Congressional Gold Medal, and they are the largest group to ever receive that honor. They will be receiving the medal at a ceremony in Washington D.C. sometime this year.
For many years Southwest Airlines has been a tremendous supporter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. Southwest Airlines is also a major sponsor for the Tuskegee Airmen National Convention which will be held in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area in August of this year.
Let's do our part to spread the history of these great War Heroes because our children, no matter what race, color, or creed, should not have to wait until their mid-twenties to learn of the Tuskegee Airmen and how they changed a nation.
Remember, it's not only Black History... it's American History.