Tuskegee Airmen commemorated

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Luther Mitchell Jr.
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter of Tuskegee Airman Inc. celebrated the 2nd Annual Tuskegee Airman Commemoration Day with a wreath ceremony Wednesday at the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Air Park.

The Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day is the result of legislation signed into law by former Arizona Governor Janice Brewer in 2013 and is the first such law to honor the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen in the nation.

"The Arizona Legislators establishing the Tuskegee Commemorative Day in Arizona shows that when people are given the facts and background of a proposed legislation, they will do the right thing," said retired Lt. Col. Robert Ashby, original Tuskegee Airman. "The Tuskegee Airmen fought to prove they were capable. It was a two-way struggle, fighting the enemy overseas and segregation at home. The Airmen proved beyond a doubt they were capable of handling more technical equipment and also running a first-class fighter wing."

Several of the eight surviving original Tuskegee Airmen of Arizona were present during the commemoration ceremony. The WWII Chinese "Dragon Tales" from Vancouver, Canada and Canadian aboriginal "First Nations" were also in attendance. These groups of veterans shared similar histories of overcoming racial prejudice to serve their countries with courage and distinction.

"These three groups shared the extreme racial oppression and myriad obstacles that sought to preclude their participation in the defense of their respective nations during World War II," said retired Col. Richard Toliver, author and motivational speaker. "Despite the barriers, these great patriots made incredible contributions that ultimately resulted in the defeat of Nazism in Europe and Japanese tyranny in the Pacific."

The military contributions of these groups were instrumental in helping the Allies win the war abroad and forge unprecedented changes in post-war societal attitudes in their respective countries.

This is the second year the commemoration day celebration was held at Luke Air Force Base. The memorial park, where the event was held, was chosen because it honors the legacy of the Red Tail P-51 Mustang, flown by the Tuskegee Airmen during WWII by displaying an F-16 Fighting Falcon painted with the Tuskegee Airmen colors.

"The Tuskegee Airmen Air Park and static F-16 Red Tail serves as a link between the past and the present: a modern fighter aircraft of today is painted in the colors of an era past," Toliver said. "At the same time, the air park serves as an inspiration to men and women of the Air Force who will carry forward the traditions of the Tuskegee Airmen for years to come."

Luke formerly hosted two Tuskegee Airmen heritage Air Force Reserve F-16 fighter squadrons: the 301st and 302nd, which were part of the 332nd Fighter Group, known as the Red Tails.

Although most of their ranks have passed away, the remaining veterans in their late 80s and 90s hope to meet again to celebrate their universal legacy of patriotism for posterity.