Tuskegee Airmen

There may be few things I'll ever agree with Obama on. Obama and all of us owe a debt of gratitude to these men. They sacrificed as much or more than every other service member during WWII. Their recognition has never been to the level deserved.

I'm glad this is happening. While it's probably inaugural funds paying for the trip and accommodations, this is one expense that would be reasonable for the tax payers to cover. I can only imagine what those men might feel as they observe something they never thought possible while defending their nation.
 
Actually, it's probably funded by the money Obama has left from his campaign war chest... My wife (who was an Obama volunteer during the election cycle) reported that they were going to take the "extra" money they raised and use it towards the inauguration, reducing the amount of public money spent. Some expenses (Security for one) must be paid with public money, of course.

Regardless, it's good that the Tuskeegee Airmen are getting some appreciation. They're one of my top charities - I got a very nice hat for contributing towards their restoration and operations of a P-51, and I always try to stop and say "Thanks" when I see them at OSH.
 
The courage and determinaton of the "Red Tails" is admirable, but my favorite part of their story is how they never lost a bomber to enemy fighters, which totally shot down (pun intended) the notion that they lacked the intelligence or fighting spirit necessary to do that job.

Even that didn't dispel many prejudices, but the point was proven. And some of them died proving it, for America as much as for their race. I hope the surviving members can enjoy this honor without too much bitterness for having waited until only recently for proper recognition of their excellent service.
 
Had the pleasure of listening to a surviving one at EAA Chapter 26 meeting many years ago, who was also a member of the Caterpillar Club, courtesy of an early post war jet (I believe it was) whose wing departed in a near sonic dive...
 
TMetzinger said:
Actually, it's probably funded by the money Obama has left from his campaign war chest... My wife (who was an Obama volunteer during the election cycle) reported that they were going to take the "extra" money they raised and use it towards the inauguration, reducing the amount of public money spent. Some expenses (Security for one) must be paid with public money, of course.

Regardless, it's good that the Tuskeegee Airmen are getting some appreciation. They're one of my top charities - I got a very nice hat for contributing towards their restoration and operations of a P-51, and I always try to stop and say "Thanks" when I see them at OSH.
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Chicago wrote up a bill of some $1.74 Million for the election night deal in Grant Park. The Obama campaign, which did agree to pay, told the city to bill the Democratic Party (First, I guess.)

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1320907,CST-NWS-rally09.article
 
mikea said:
Chicago wrote up a bill of some $1.74 Million for the election night deal in Grant Park. The Obama campaign, which did agree to pay, told the city to bill the Democratic Party (First, I guess.)

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1320907,CST-NWS-rally09.article
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I bet the city tax payers get stuck in the end.

But, the Tuskegee Airmen shouldn't pay a dang dime. They earned this trip with their very lives on the line and their hearts within. As I said, I'm all for tax dollars picking up this tab.
 
Well deserved, too little too late.
 
rottydaddy said:
The courage and determinaton of the "Red Tails" is admirable, but my favorite part of their story is how they never lost a bomber to enemy fighters, which totally shot down (pun intended) the notion that they lacked the intelligence or fighting spirit necessary to do that job.

Even that didn't dispel many prejudices, but the point was proven. And some of them died proving it, for America as much as for their race. I hope the surviving members can enjoy this honor without too much bitterness for having waited until only recently for proper recognition of their excellent service.
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While I do admire all WWII combatants and especially the fortitude the Tuskegee airmen displayed in their efforts to become USAAC pilots, the "never lost a bomber to enemy fighters" is Hollywood Fluff. It was used (in the movie) to make a point that Black pilots were as good as any other pilot.
The Tuskegee squadrons had roughly the same bomber-loss ratio per mission as every other Fighter squadron in the 15th and 8th airforces which isn't surprising since multiple Fighter squadrons ran herd on multiple Bomber squadrons during the same mission.

What they did and what they went thru is impressive enough without Hollywood Bastardizing it.

Chris
 
Hiperbiper said:
While I do admire all WWII combatants and especially the fortitude the Tuskegee airmen displayed in their efforts to become USAAC pilots, the "never lost a bomber to enemy fighters" is Hollywood Fluff. It was used (in the movie) to make a point that Black pilots were as good as any other pilot.
The Tuskegee squadrons had roughly the same bomber-loss ratio per mission as every other Fighter squadron in the 15th and 8th airforces which isn't surprising since multiple Fighter squadrons ran herd on multiple Bomber squadrons during the same mission.

What they did and what they went thru is impressive enough without Hollywood Bastardizing it.

Chris
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Well put, but I don't think that's just in the movie... I believe there is a documentary where squadron members make the same claim(?). And does the loss ratio you mention include all losses (flak, mechanical trouble, collisions, bombs falling on other ships in the box, etc.), or is that only losses from enemy fighters?

Whatever... I could be wrong. I just missed a chance to meet a couple of them when they were speaking near Chicago earlier this year; if I ever do get to meet any of them, I'll be sure to ask about that.
 
I think if I were President elect I'd invite every surviving WWII vet to the inauguration. I'd give Congress crappier seats if necessary to put them up front.
 
bullwinkle said:
I think if I were President elect I'd invite every surviving WWII vet to the inauguration. I'd give Congress crappier seats if necessary to put them up front.
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I don't know which part of this I like better: Honoring the WWII vets, or giving Congresscritters crappy seats....

-Skip
 
bullwinkle said:
I think if I were President elect I'd invite every surviving WWII vet to the inauguration. I'd give Congress crappier seats if necessary to put them up front.
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KennyFlys said:
I like that idea.
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RJM62 said:
Amen.
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Skip Miller said:
I don't know which part of this I like better: Honoring the WWII vets, or giving Congresscritters crappy seats....

-Skip
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bullwinkle said:
It's a two fer one!

:smilewinkgrin:
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Why invite the congresscritters at all? :D Lowest of the low.
 
Skip Miller said:
President-elect Obama has invited the surviving Tuskegee Airmen to the inauguration.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/10/us/politics/10inaug.html?scp=1&sq=tuskegee airman&st=cse

BZ, Mr. Obama! These brave men have never gotten the recognition they deserve.
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Okay folks, we have a mission:

“I didn’t believe I’d live long enough to see something like this,” said Lt. Col. Charles A. Lane Jr., 83, of Omaha, a retired Tuskegee fighter pilot who flew missions over Italy.

“I would love to be there, I would love to be able to see it with my own eyes,” he said, chuckling on the phone as he heard about the invitation. But, he said, he had a “physical limitation” and was not sure he would be able to attend.
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I think that us GA types need to make sure these guys get there if they want to go. Be it through Angel Flight, or Veterans Airlift Command, or - What was that org that was in Ohio (I think) that was shuttling WWII vets to Washington to see their memorial? Either way, we need to get this done.

Does anyone know what the org was that was doing the WWII vet flights? Anyone know who from Obama's team we can alert that GA pilots would like to bring these guys to Washington? How about who can get the word out to the airmen so that they know this is an option?
 
honorflight.org used to do this, but it's possible that they are exclusively using the airlines.

Regardless, I'm up for it. One thing to do would be to contact the Tuskeegee Airman organization, and maybe we can get a map built of the various locations we need to service.

I live in the DC area, and I have a spare bedroom and floor space for volunteers here too, or could work on coordinating some local travel.
 
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