 | Tuskegee Airman Hold Last Reunion| WWII Events Discuss Tuskegee Airman Hold Last Reunion in the News & Announcements :: READ forums; They never missed a rendezvous with bombers over war-torn Europe but the Tuskegee Airmen say they've had their ... |
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09-01-2005, 11:33 AM
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#1 | | "Shooter"
Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA
Posts: 12,486
Country:  | Tuskegee Airman Hold Last Reunion
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They never missed a rendezvous with bombers over war-torn Europe but the Tuskegee Airmen say they've had their last formal reunion. Members of the famed Red Tail squadron, unfortunately known as much for their heritage as their skill in the air, are getting too old to stage the annual event, which this year drew dozens of the P-51 fighter pilots, support crew and friends to Orlando. Of the original 992 African American aviators who made up the 99th, 100th, 301st and 302nd Fighter Groups, only about 200 are still alive and they're in their 80s. About 50 died in the past year. The remaining members will still get to meet each year but they'll do so in conjunction with another group of younger black aviators. The Tuskegee Airmen was founded in 1972 as a way to encourage young black people to become pilots. It grew to 45 chapters throughout the country and membership was opened to include other military people, relatives of squadron members and associate members with no affiliation who shared the same goals.
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__________________  http://www.vg-photo.com Wherever their bones may lie, the courage of heroes is consecrated in the hearts and engraved in the history of the free. Lt Col Honner DSO MC, 39th Commander speaking of the dead from the battle of Kokoda. | 
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09-01-2005, 01:37 PM
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#2 | | IP/Mech THE GREAT GAZOO
Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado, USA
Posts: 12,964
Country: |
__________________ "IF ITS RED OR DUSTY, DON'T TOUCH IT"  | 
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09-01-2005, 05:17 PM
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#3 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London
Posts: 2,794
| They were remarkable people. Hollywood couldn't have written the script and they achieved a massive amount. What always impressed me was their dignity whenever they have appeared in interviews. No bravado or dramatics, just pride, quiet confidence and dignity. | |
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09-02-2005, 08:01 AM
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#4 | | "Shooter"
Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA
Posts: 12,486
Country: | Yes, I had the opportunity to meet one a few years ago. Nice guy and quite humble. Their record speaks for itself.
__________________ http://www.vg-photo.com Wherever their bones may lie, the courage of heroes is consecrated in the hearts and engraved in the history of the free. Lt Col Honner DSO MC, 39th Commander speaking of the dead from the battle of Kokoda. | |
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09-02-2005, 08:28 AM
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#5 | | He who does not skim
Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,957
Country:  | They endured quite a lot to achieve quite a record. Racism from their own side and bullets from the enemy. Were any of them ever captured? I've seen Hart's War, where two of them are shot down and captured by the Germans, but what about real life?
They're an inspiration, not only for young black people. Well done fellas. | |
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09-02-2005, 08:32 AM
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#6 | | "Shooter"
Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA
Posts: 12,486
Country: | Hart's war was kind of interesting. Not what I expected, but I did enjoy it. I don't know if any were captured or not. Good question though. Anyone?
__________________ http://www.vg-photo.com Wherever their bones may lie, the courage of heroes is consecrated in the hearts and engraved in the history of the free. Lt Col Honner DSO MC, 39th Commander speaking of the dead from the battle of Kokoda. | |
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09-06-2005, 12:32 PM
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#7 | | the old Sage
Join Date: May 2004 Location: Platonic Sphere
Posts: 8,940
Country: | Eric I believe there are something like 5-6 surviving pilots of this great group in California am I correct ? When I visited Chino last I was hoping that 1-2 were going to attend when they pulled the Me 262 out for the show. Alas ........... nil
E ~ | |
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09-06-2005, 12:54 PM
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#8 | | "Shooter"
Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA
Posts: 12,486
Country: | I'm not sure how many are out here now. That was about 5 years ago and there were 2 or 3 at the show. They were well received and many folks went to talk to them and shake their hands. I was working the gates at the show that year a briefly got to speak to one as he was leaving.
__________________ http://www.vg-photo.com Wherever their bones may lie, the courage of heroes is consecrated in the hearts and engraved in the history of the free. Lt Col Honner DSO MC, 39th Commander speaking of the dead from the battle of Kokoda. | |
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09-06-2005, 03:41 PM
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#9 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Royal Deeside/St Andrews, Scotland, UK
Posts: 11,130
Country:  |
__________________  "Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal, it is the Courage to Continue that Counts"
Sir Winston Churchill
"To him the people of the world largely owe the Freedom and liberties they enjoy today"
Enscription on Hugh Dowding's (AOC Fighter Command 1936-40) statue in London
Moderator WW2 Talk: A WW2 Discussion Forum | |
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09-06-2005, 04:52 PM
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#10 | | Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 32
| Salute to those great pilots!
There were a movie about "Tuskegee Airmen". Anybody remeber the title? "Black Squadron" IMO. | |
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09-06-2005, 04:53 PM
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#11 | | "Shooter"
Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA
Posts: 12,486
Country: | It was called "Tuskegee Airmen"
__________________ http://www.vg-photo.com Wherever their bones may lie, the courage of heroes is consecrated in the hearts and engraved in the history of the free. Lt Col Honner DSO MC, 39th Commander speaking of the dead from the battle of Kokoda. | |
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09-06-2005, 04:54 PM
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#12 | | Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 32
| Ok, I found the movie: "The Tuskegee Airmen" (from 1995). In Poland it was showed as "The black squadron" - thats why I missed the correct title. | |
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09-06-2005, 06:30 PM
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#13 | | "Shooter"
Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA
Posts: 12,486
Country: | I hate when they name them differently in different countries. It's a good movie. That one I have yet to get into my DVD collection, but will.
__________________ http://www.vg-photo.com Wherever their bones may lie, the courage of heroes is consecrated in the hearts and engraved in the history of the free. Lt Col Honner DSO MC, 39th Commander speaking of the dead from the battle of Kokoda. | |
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01-17-2006, 03:25 PM
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#14 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 7
| a fine body of men
i still need to see that movie. | |
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01-17-2006, 03:43 PM
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#15 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 8,095
| I met several of them at the Hawthorne airshow they had around 1992. They were always happy to answer peoples questions. Very friendly bunch of people.
When they were up next to the P40 or P51 that flew in for the show, you could see their pride!
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"Pilot to copilot..... what are those mountain goats doing up here in the clouds?" | |
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