Zone1 February is Black History Month: 20 Years Ago This Month I Met Some of the Last Remaining Tuskegee Airmen at the Boeing Museum of Flight

[NewsVine_Mariyam]

In February 2005, during a Black History Month celebration, I had the incredible opportunity to meet some of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen at a ‘Meet & Greet’ event hosted by the Museum of Flight in Seattle.

Each of them was gracious, warm, and generous with their time, happily signing my collection of memorabilia—including a book on the Red Tails.

One Airman, in particular, stood out. Not only did he remember my grandfather, Captain John Daniels, but he also recalled his class designation—G43. I was astonished by the depth of his memory.

What he shared next left me speechless. He revealed that he was originally scheduled to be on the ill-fated flight that claimed the lives of nearly a dozen officers. Their aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Moton Field during a thunderstorm. These men had survived the war, only to perish back home—not because of enemy fire, but because racial segregation in the South left them with no alternative airfields where they could safely divert. That night, fate intervened. He had to work and couldn’t join them, a twist of circumstance that ultimately saved his life.

 

[crossbody]

In February 2005, during a Black History Month celebration, I had the incredible opportunity to meet some of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen at a ‘Meet & Greet’ event hosted by the Museum of Flight in Seattle.

Each of them was gracious, warm, and generous with their time, happily signing my collection of memorabilia—including a book on the Red Tails.

One Airman, in particular, stood out. Not only did he remember my grandfather, Captain John Daniels, but he also recalled his class designation—G43. I was astonished by the depth of his memory.

What he shared next left me speechless. He revealed that he was originally scheduled to be on the ill-fated flight that claimed the lives of nearly a dozen officers. Their aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Moton Field during a thunderstorm. These men had survived the war, only to perish back home—not because of enemy fire, but because racial segregation in the South left them with no alternative airfields where they could safely divert. That night, fate intervened. He had to work and couldn’t join them, a twist of circumstance that ultimately saved his life.

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Thanks for posting this. It's such a rich history, and what an honor for you to have met some of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen. I'm sure that was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'm glad it was a good experience for you. Their story is a rich part of American history.

 

[gtopa1]

I wonder if he knew my Uncle; he flew Beaufighters in new Guinea in WW2?

Greg

 

[NewsVine_Mariyam]

Thanks for posting this. It's such a rich history, and what an honor for you to have met some of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen. I'm sure that was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'm glad it was a good experience for you. Their story is a rich part of American history.

Thank you, I appreciate your kind words

 

[NewsVine_Mariyam]

I wonder if he knew my Uncle; he flew Beaufighters in new Guinea in WW2?

Greg

I only know that they, the 99th, were originally sent to Italy I think it was and then North Africa.

 

[Stann]

In February 2005, during a Black History Month celebration, I had the incredible opportunity to meet some of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen at a ‘Meet & Greet’ event hosted by the Museum of Flight in Seattle.

Each of them was gracious, warm, and generous with their time, happily signing my collection of memorabilia—including a book on the Red Tails.

One Airman, in particular, stood out. Not only did he remember my grandfather, Captain John Daniels, but he also recalled his class designation—G43. I was astonished by the depth of his memory.

What he shared next left me speechless. He revealed that he was originally scheduled to be on the ill-fated flight that claimed the lives of nearly a dozen officers. Their aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Moton Field during a thunderstorm. These men had survived the war, only to perish back home—not because of enemy fire, but because racial segregation in the South left them with no alternative airfields where they could safely divert. That night, fate intervened. He had to work and couldn’t join them, a twist of circumstance that ultimately saved his life.

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I can't imagine fighting for my country if it treated me as anything less than a full citizen and equal. That was a mark of the utmost valour , homor and courage. I remember a the story of the black platoon lead by a single white man who took back a fort during the Civil War. I believe in Savannah harbor. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. It came at a great cost in lives but they succeeded. No doubt sacrificed to save " white " soldier lives.

 

[alang1216]

In February 2005, during a Black History Month celebration, I had the incredible opportunity to meet some of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen at a ‘Meet & Greet’ event hosted by the Museum of Flight in Seattle.

I too had the honor to meet a Tuskegee Airman. He ran a small but very successful consulting firm that my wife's cousin worked for. Her cousin invited her boss (how many bosses would you invite to your house?) and us to a small dinner party, must be some 40 years ago. That Airman was probably the most impressive person I've ever met and talked to. He was smart, knowledgeable, down-to-earth, well spoken and well mannered, and generally just a nice guy that you'd love to hang with. He did brag but from the cousin we later learned he lived in a palatial house, travelled everywhere, and knew just about every important person in the country. After the war he became the deputy governor of Colorado (or something like that) then started his own consulting company.

 

[NewsVine_Mariyam]

I can't imagine fighting for my country if it treated me as anything less than a full citizen and equal. That was a mark of the utmost valour , homor and courage. I remember a the story of the black platoon lead by a single white man who took back a fort during the Civil War. I believe in Savannah harbor. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. It came at a great cost in lives but they succeeded. No doubt sacrificed to save " white " soldier lives.

I would imagine that their love of lying won out over "Haters gonna hate, hate, hate"

 

[alang1216]

I too had the honor to meet a Tuskegee Airman. He ran a small but very successful consulting firm that my wife's cousin worked for. Her cousin invited her boss (how many bosses would you invite to your house?) and us to a small dinner party, must be some 40 years ago. That Airman was probably the most impressive person I've ever met and talked to. He was smart, knowledgeable, down-to-earth, well spoken and well mannered, and generally just a nice guy that you'd love to hang with. He did brag but from the cousin we later learned he lived in a palatial house, travelled everywhere, and knew just about every important person in the country. After the war he became the deputy governor of Colorado (or something like that) then started his own consulting company.

I was close. His name was George L. Brown and he served in the Colorado Senate from 1955 to 1974 and as the 40th Lieutenant Governor of Colorado from 1975 to 1979. He was also a senior vice president with Grumman Corporation. During World War II, he served as a Tuskegee Airman. Together with California's Mervyn Dymally, he was one of the first two Black lieutenant-governors since Reconstruction and outside any southern state.

 

[RoshawnMarkwees]

Do you care about WWII heroes or WWII air combat or do you only care about Tuskegee airmen because they’re black?

 

[Stann]

I would imagine that their love of lying won out over "Haters gonna hate, hate, hate"

Not sure what you're trying to say here.

 

[Stann]

Do you care about WWII heroes or WWII air combat or do you only care about Tuskegee airmen because they’re black?

Can't it be both. This is black heritage month..At least trump didn't take away that yet.

 

[The Sage of Main Street]

I can't imagine fighting for my country if it treated me as anything less than a full citizen and equal. That was a mark of the utmost valor , honor and courage. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. It came at a great cost in lives

Two Wings of the Same Vulture

The very same people who pretended to feel outraged at the well-deserved discrimination against Aframs insulted Vietnam veterans as "baby-killers" and "losers too lazy to go to college."

It was so hateful that this class's Rightist branch got away with their treasonous Daddy-arranged draft-dodging just by pointing out that "We didn't protest; we didn't call you names. So the way we got out of having to fight over there should be all right with you veterans."

Shirkers smirking behind our backs as they continue to stab us in the back.

 

[IM2]

Do you care about WWII heroes or WWII air combat or do you only care about Tuskegee airmen because they’re black?

It appears that Newsvine had a relative who was a Tuskegee Airmen. Is your objection to this thread because it is about blacks?

 

[NewsVine_Mariyam]

Do you care about WWII heroes or WWII air combat or do you only care about Tuskegee airmen because they’re black?

Why does your avatar say "Black Fathers Matter"?

 

[NewsVine_Mariyam]

Can't it be both. This is black heritage month..At least trump didn't take away that yet.

Actually Trump initially cancelled Black History month at the federal level, along with Holocaust Remembrance Days, which surprised me but when you think about it, the Jewish people ARE a member of the protected classes defined by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

"...However, following an executive order issued on January 20, 2025, aimed at ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the federal government, some agencies have paused or canceled related observances. For instance, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) suspended activities related to Black History Month, Holocaust Remembrance Days, and other cultural events to comply with the executive order.​

​

AP News​

​

As of now, there is no indication that these agencies have rescinded their cancellations of these observances."​

 

[Stann]

Actually Trump initially cancelled Black History month at the federal level, along with Holocaust Remembrance Days, which surprised me but when you think about it, the Jewish people ARE a member of the protected classes defined by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

"...However, following an executive order issued on January 20, 2025, aimed at ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the federal government, some agencies have paused or canceled related observances. For instance, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) suspended activities related to Black History Month, Holocaust Remembrance Days, and other cultural events to comply with the executive order.​

​

AP News​

​

As of now, there is no indication that these agencies have rescinded their cancellations of these observances."​

Not should they , this disgrace is owned by trump and his ilk. Very sick people.

 

[EvilCat Breath]

Actually Trump initially cancelled Black History month at the federal level, along with Holocaust Remembrance Days, which surprised me but when you think about it, the Jewish people ARE a member of the protected classes defined by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

"...However, following an executive order issued on January 20, 2025, aimed at ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the federal government, some agencies have paused or canceled related observances. For instance, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) suspended activities related to Black History Month, Holocaust Remembrance Days, and other cultural events to comply with the executive order.​

​

AP News​

​

As of now, there is no indication that these agencies have rescinded their cancellations of these observances."​

All identity related activities are halted. Celebrate all you want, none of it is official.

 

[Stann]

All identity related activities are halted. Celebrate all you want, none of it is official.

That is sick. We must honor the family and ,especially the Holocaust victims . Less we repeat history , or maybe that's exactly what trump wants for US to forget that horror and repeat it again
Sick people., very sick people.

 

[EvilCat Breath]

That is sick. We must honor the family and ,especially the Holocaust victims . Less we repeat history , or maybe that's exactly what trump wants for US to forget that horror and repeat it again
Sick people., very sick people.

Go ahead. Honor whatever you like. Identity days and months are no longer officially recognized. Every month is some kind of heritage month. It needs to stop.